Many Osteoarthritis patients delay their prescribed knee replacement surgery till the last stage, out of fear and anxiety. But they don’t realize that walking with damaged and painful knee joints can bring more complications and damage the bones to an irreparable stage.
Medical surveys report that 40 to 50 percent of patients from rural India don’t go for surgeries even if they are suffering from critical osteoarthritis. Rather, they choose some temporary medical procedures which restrict their mobility.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DELAYING JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Joint deformities - With the worsening of arthritis joint deformities increase. It may also lead to conditions like a knock-kneed or bow-legged deformity. With growing deformity, joint replacement can become more complicated.
Joint Stiffness – Progression of arthritis reduces joint mobility. Diminished movements may lead to contraction of soft-tissues surrounding the joint causing stiffness.
Weakening of joint Muscles – With further advancement of arthritis, joint muscles weaken. Such conditions can be extremely painful and result in limited movements. With weakened muscles, rehabilitation post-surgery may become more difficult and perhaps patients may never regain their original strength.
When one should go for Joint Replacement Surgery?
Performing surgery earlier may bring a better outcome. An early staged patient is more likely to recover sooner and with fewer complications, when undergoes knee replacement surgery.
Question one may ask themselves to decide whether it’s time to consult for joint replacement or not?
- Is there an indication of joint damage upon X-ray imaging?
- Experiencing moderate to severe contact pain that is not relieved by medication, physiotherapy or lifestyle changes?
- Having difficulties while performing regular activities due to mobility limitation and growing pain?
If it is YES for all the above questions, then one should consult a physician for joint replacement surgery.
Minimally-invasive surgical techniques for Joint Replacement
With the advent of new technologies and minimally invasive procedures, knee replacement has become far more easy, painless and effective. With minimally invasive surgical procedures, latest 3D technology and computer navigation, even older people can undergo knee replacement, that too with assurance of normal locomotive recovery. Such surgeries have benefits like reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time. It also ensures the longevity of the implanted joints and improves knee movement.
At Sarvodaya Hospital, centre for joint replacement specializes in minimally invasive Computer-assisted Joint Replacement Surgery utilizing high-end technologies like ‘Fast Track Computer Navigation’, which creates an accurate virtual image of the patient’s joint, helping surgeons in placing surgical tools correctly.
Joint replacement surgery is one of the most successful surgeries nowadays and has helped millions of patients crippling with arthritis, regain mobility and lead a painless life.
Pay attention to your joint issues, before they become incurable!
