What should I know before total joint replacement surgery?
Deciding to undergo total joint replacement surgery is a big decision. The team at the Total Joint Center is here to guide you every step of the way.
Am I too old for total joint replacement surgery?
As long as you are in reasonably good health and are willing to put time and effort into the rehabilitation process, you are a candidate for joint replacement surgery.
What are the risks?
Joint replacement is major surgery. As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications your physician or surgeon will discuss with you. These include problems from anesthesia, infection, bleeding from your incision, blood clots, damage to nerves or blood vessels, dislocation with hip replacement, and very rarely, death. These complications are rare and every precaution is taken to avoid them.
Should I exercise before surgery?
Your surgeon and the Total Joint Center team see quicker and safer mobility in patients who have taken measures to strengthen major muscle groups prior to surgery. The better toned your muscle groups are, the easier the rehabilitation process will be. Please talk with your doctor about which pre-operative exercises might be right for you.
How painful is joint replacement?
You can expect discomfort after your surgery. Most patients report that the initial eight to 10 hours out of recovery are the most painful. The Total Joint Center team members are specifically trained in post-operative pain management techniques. Your RN will work closely with you to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Many patients initially require intravenous (IV) narcotic pain medication; however, most patients are able to stop using IV narcotics and take pain pills with breakfast the day after surgery. It is important to keep in mind that extended use of IV narcotics has been shown to slow the body’s ability to heal. IV narcotics slow digestion, which may increase your risk for nausea and loss of appetite. Most importantly, IV narcotics decrease your ability to participate and make decisions in your care. It is a misconception that IV narcotics are the best way to handle surgical discomfort. The Total Joint Center team members have found that many of our patients experience fewer complications and regain their mobility more quickly with the use of oral pain medication. There are non-medicinal approaches to pain relief, such as cold therapy, that are very effective in pain relief after total joint surgery.
How successful is total joint replacement surgery?
Generally, joint replacement is successful. Pain is relieved, deformity is corrected and patients resume former activities and a more active lifestyle. Long-term success rates vary from 10 to over 20 years, depending on age, weight and activity level. A critical concept for successful joint replacement is early mobility.
It is very common to have a small area of numbness outside of your scar line. This could last a year or more. You may also hear or feel a clicking noise when you move. This is the artificial surfaces of your joint moving over each other and is nothing to be alarmed about.
You will not be able to run, jump or perform activities that could require “high-impact” on your new joint. If you have had a total hip replacement there are some movements you should not make.
A number of factors will affect the success of your new joint implant. There is no guarantee how long your implant will last. Factors that are under your control that can affect the longevity of your new joint include weight, activity and medical condition stability. It is important to remember that an implant is a medical device subject to wear and tear. Statistically, loosening or wear rates requiring repeat surgery are about one percent per year. In other words, about 90 percent of replacements will last 10 years and about 80 percent will last 20 years.
Do you have more questions?
If there are more things you'd like to know, we're happy to help answer your questions. Please contact us.