Arthroplasty Definition

Arthroplasty replaces joints in the human skeleton

Arthroplasty is a type of surgical procedure that replaces damaged joints. When joint damage is too severe and causes too much pain, arthroplasty is a treatment that relieves pain and restores mobility.

Significance

Joint damage is painful, and it can leave a patient immobile. Arthroplasty is used to replace damage joints in the hips, knee, shoulders and elbow. Replacing these joints relieve pain and return mobility to the patient.

Candidates

Surgeons prefer to operate on older patients for joint replacement since the prosthetic devices wear down and need to be replaced several years later. Candidates have difficulty with moving and suffer severe pain in knees or hips. Obese patients are not good candidates for arthroplasty.

Complications

Complications occur during any surgery including arthroplasty. Blood clots, infection and loss of blood are the three main complications.

Recovery

Recovery time is dependent on the patient's body and the surgeon's skill. Physical therapy is required, and this period usually lasts approximately six weeks.

Types

Several types of arthroplasty are available, but the choice is determined by the patient and the doctor. Non-invasive surgery is available to limit recovery time. Other types include uni-compartmental knee arthroplasty, used to delay knee surgery wtih small implants in the knee; hip resurfacing, in which a metal cap is placed over the area to delay surgery; and revision arthroplasty, used when an original joint transplant fails. It requires more removal of bones and has more complications.

References

• U. of Maryland: Osteoarthritis Treatments