Total Joint Surgery at Eminent Medical Center

Total Joint Surgery
Few physical maladies can prove as painful or debilitating as failing joints. These bodily structures, which connect your bones are comprised of an amalgamation of strong materials.

However, as you age, engage in moderate to rigorous exercise, become stricken with certain systemic illnesses or sustain injuries, joints may grow weakened or damaged. Fortunately, however, a corrective surgical intervention known as total joint replacement might provide relief of manifestations, such as, discomfort and any other accompanying problems.

Eminent Medical Center, a medical facility employing experienced surgeons performing total joint surgery in Richardson TX, invites you to read this brief blog highlighting this process.

Types Of Total Joint Replacement Procedures

Total joint replacements are most commonly performed on the hip, knee and shoulder joints.

Hip Replacement

During this process, a surgeon replaces the hip socket and the ball-like structure connecting joint to hip bone.

Knee Replacement

In numerous cases, knee joints are replaced following long-standing arthritis, a condition causing significant inflammation and damage to impacted bodily components.

Shoulder Replacement

Said procedure is akin to hip replacement because the shoulder joint attached to the a ball-like structure ultimately the shoulder bone.

Preparation

There are several preparatory steps you must execute. Such actions are designed to ensure the surgery is a success and your recovery period is quicker and less likely to produce complications.

In the weeks preceding the intervention, you are firmly urged to undergo a thorough physical examination that might reveal any underlying issues or potential complications. Additionally, you must disclose any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take, as certain drugs could precipitate potentially serious contraindications.

Should you smoke, quitting or significantly curtailing the habit is strongly advised. This detrimental vice reduces blood circulation, which could delay healing and increase your risk of developing a post-surgical infection. Moreover, other vices, such as, alcohol consumption should be stopped for at least two full days in advance.

Procedure

Immediately prior to the procedure, an anesthesiologist will consider your medical records and determine the most appropriate form of anesthesia to employ.

An orthopedic surgeon performs the procedure by removing the damaged joint and replacing said component with a synthetic object medically referred to as prosthesis. Prostheses are typically comprised of products, such as, plastic, ceramic and metal. The shape and contour of the prostheses is designed to mimic the appearance of the natural structure.

Recovery

Your specific recovery time will depend on numerous key issues, including the specific joint being replaced, your age, health, physical condition, in addition to the presence of any underlying injuries or illnesses that precipitated the joint damage. That said, following surgery you might be required to remain in the hospital for a couple of days to monitor your condition. Furthermore, you might be required to undergo an extended course of physical therapy geared towards helping you restore strength and mobility to the impacted body part.