Living with persistent aches and pains in your hip or knee keeps you away from a lot of day-to-day activities! When it comes to any issue related to your joints, don’t delay making an appointment with your orthopaedic doctor. We know the internet is filled with helpful information but sometimes coming across misleading facts can stand in between you and the care you need.
Well, to dispel your misconceptions about joint replacement we have debunked some common myths associated with joint replacement surgery.
Myth: Joint replacement surgery is only an option later in life
There isn’t a specific age restriction or requirement for joint replacement surgery. If a person with an underlying illness such as rheumatoid arthritis or other bone disease has a major impact on performing daily tasks, getting a replacement is an effective solution to treat the condition. However, if you are continuing living with complications with joint function, it can definitely result in having huge trouble in your old age. Today, joint replacement surgery is considered one of the safest and advanced methods suiting patients of all ages.
Myth: Hip and Knee Replacements only last for 10 years or less
Years back, knee and hip replacement procedures might not have offered this privilege to the patients. As technology improves, artificial implants get better and better, making it possible for a knee or hip implant to stay intact for around 15-20 years. However, many factors are responsible for the lifespan of an implant, such as its type, age of a person, activity level, and body weight. While a quality implant and surgery performed by a specialist are the key factors, still there is no chance that a replaced implant will not last longer than ten years.
Myth: The recovery time is too long for a Joint replacement technique
With advancements in orthopaedics treatments and patient care, a person can recover in just a few weeks. Nowadays, you don’t even need to spend more than a day or two in the hospital after a hip or knee replacement surgery. A patient just needs to be disciplined enough to follow strict postoperative instructions and take proper rest. Staying positive, following the right physical therapy regime, and a nutritious diet can help a lot in speeding up your recovery.
Myth: Joint replacement is only necessary after an injury
A lot of times, people may have to undergo joint replacement after experiencing a terrible accident or trauma to any previous injury. However, that is not the only reason to warrant a replacement. Nowadays, arthritis patients are recommended to go for the treatment to eradicate or lower down its symptoms such as excruciating pain, difficulty or inability to bend, trouble walking, and increased swelling along with lumps. In fact, joint replacement is a successful method helping patients to regain strength and mobility to perform day-to-day tasks easily.
Myth: There is no chance of repairing an implanted joint
Revision joint replacement surgery is the answer to debunk this misconception! It is advisable to seek precautions after you undergo a replacement procedure to prevent accidental injuries, as these surgeries are usually performed on people who have weakened joints. However, there is nothing that cannot be treated these days. Also, the chances of failed joint replacement surgery are rare, but if it happens it can also be corrected through revision surgery after evaluating the reasons and the patient’s overall well-being.
Conclusion
Joint replacement surgery is a comprehensive technique helping you to get rid of debilitating pains and swelling while improving your overall quality of life. If you have any doubts regarding surgery consult your doctor instead of believing any hearsay!
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