Joint Replacement Jitters
If you are considering joint replacement surgery to relieve pain and restore function in a painful joint, it's natural to feel apprehensive. Learning the facts can help calm your fears.
Fear: Knee or hip replacement is extremely painful.
Fact: While joint replacement is still major surgery and some discomfort immediately after the procedure is to be expected, having a joint replaced is no longer the daunting experience it once was.
In the past, total joint replacement surgery typically involved a large incision to reach the damaged or diseased joint. Today, advances in surgical techniques allow surgeons to perform joint replacement through smaller incisions and with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues - resulting in less pain.
Fear: After surgery, I will be off my feet for a long time.
Fact: While not a quick fix, hip or knee replacement does not involve weeks or months of bed rest - in fact, every effort is made to get patients up and moving soon after surgery, often the same day.
Generally, joint replacement patients can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery, followed by a few weeks of outpatient physical therapy. The time it takes to make a full recovery depends on many factors, including the reason for the surgery and type of procedure performed, as well as the age and overall health of the patient, but the rehabilitation process typically takes three to six months.
Fear: The new joint will wear out in a few years.
Fact: Years ago, joint replacement patients often required a second "revision" surgery to correct a joint implant that had become unstable, painful or worn out within a few years of the original procedure. Thanks to new developments in materials and structural designs, modern joint replacement implants last much longer.
Advanced metal alloys, including titanium and cobalt-chromium, and sophisticated plastics, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, have contributed to the durability of joint implants. Together, these advances help ensure better fit, smoother function and longer-lasting relief for patients of all ages.