For many older adults, joint replacement surgery is essential to improve mobility or manage a degenerative condition like arthritis. It typically involves the knee, hip or shoulder joint.
This procedure removes all or part of the damaged cartilage and bone for a prosthesis made of metal, plastic or ceramic to be inserted. During recovery, which can take close to a year, you will relearn how to move and gradually regain your independence.
If your doctor has recommended joint replacement surgery and you’re planning for post-operative care, here’s what you can expect at Avon Health Center.
What Is Joint Replacement Surgery?
Based on the degree of wear and damage, your doctor will recommend one of two types:
- Partial Joint Replacement: A surgeon removes damaged bone tissue and cartilage before inserting artificial parts to preserve the joint’s range of motion and function. This procedure is recommended for moderate damage partially affecting the joint.
- Total Joint Replacement: A surgeon removes the joint, shaving down the adjacent bones and inserting an artificial joint into the centers of the remaining bones.
You might be a good candidate for joint replacement surgery if you:
- Experience mobility issues walking, climbing stairs or standing up from a chair
- Have arthritis that causes you chronic pain or limits your mobility
- Are dealing with joint stiffness or swelling
What to Expect During Joint Replacement
Joint replacement surgery is an invasive procedure, so you will receive general or regional anesthesia based on the location of the joint.
As the procedure begins, the surgeon:
- Makes an incision near the affected joint
- Removes all damaged cartilage and bone
- Implants the prosthetic joint, securing it to the surrounding bone
- Adds spacers designed to have the cushioning effect of cartilage
- Shapes the remaining bones to fit the joint
Many patients go home later that same day but you should plan for an overnight stay in case complications arise, including:
- Blood clots
- Infection surrounding the artificial joint
- Nerve damage and pain
- Scar tissue formation
- Joint stiffness
- A loose artificial joint
Following the procedure and recovery, most patients have an easier time walking and experience less pain. The prosthetic joint is designed to last 15 to 20 years.
Recovery After Joint Replacement
Physical therapy often begins in the hospital, so you can start moving with the artificial joint right away. During this early stage, a physical therapist assesses your range of motion, including how well you can bend and straighten your limb and hold it in a fixed position.
Your custom rehabilitation plan may encompass a combination of:
- Icing the joint multiple times a day to reduce pain and swelling
- Pain management, including prescription or over-the-counter medications
- Keeping the joint elevated above the heart to improve circulation
- Checking the incision area for infection
- Recovery exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint
- Working on your mobility, as well as lifting or bending, based on the affected joint
After a couple days, you should be able to get around with a mobility device but may need assistance with cooking, cleaning, bathing or laundry. Our staff can help you with these activities of daily living, while physical and occupational therapists will have you practice:
- Walking
- Getting in and out of bed
- Standing up from a chair
- Climbing stairs
- Getting in and out of a car
The typical recovery period is about two to four weeks. Within two to three months, you should be performing most activities of daily living independently or with minimal help. If you are physically active, your joint should also be ready for low to moderate-impact activities, like biking or playing golf.
Preparation for Joint Replacement Surgery
Considering this timeline, you’re advised to plan for the following ahead of your procedure:
- How you will get home after the procedure
- Where you will go for short-term rehabilitation
- Assistance with getting around and maintaining your home during recovery
- Whether you will use a cane, walker or crutches for moving around
- Creating a safe home, including the removal of trip hazards and installing grab bars
Are you planning for joint replacement surgery and recovery? Contact Avon Health Center to schedule your stay and coordinate the most crucial stages of physical rehabilitation today.
