Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Replacement Surgery For Arthritis

By Amy Clark

Arthritis is an affliction characterized by irregular inflammations affecting the human body's joints or articulations. The hips, elbows, fingers and knees are the main targets of this condition.

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis has different types. Osteoarthritis or OA, the most widespread kind of arthritis, is set off primarily by old age, but may also appear as a result of specific infections, malformations, or lesions, of the knee. Other less common but equally devastating types of arthritis are: gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment

Several modes of treatment are available for arthritis management. These may range from physical therapy, medication therapy, to arthritis surgery.

The latter, known collectively as arthritis knee surgery, has a range of more specialized forms - for instance, knee replacement surgery, arthroscopy, and knee osteotomy. The exact type of surgery depends on several factors, like the severity and degree of the pain.

Knee Arthritis Surgery

Based on the severity of the symptoms, the most recommended option for treatment is commonly arthritis knee surgery.

The disease often forms in stages, gradually damaging the cartilaginous tissue in the tissue joints. In the early part of the disease, anti-inflammatory remedies and exercise programs are the common treatment methods. However, as the arthritis worsens, surgery turns into a pressing and vital necessity.

What is Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a less invasive kind of surgery in treating arthritis. This procedure involves fixing ligaments and cartilage tissue damage in your knee as well as the other joints. During an arthroscopy surgery, a small instrument that looks like an endoscope is inserted in the affected region through a tiny incision.

Although the efficacy of this type of surgery remains a debatable issue, many users confirm the benefits efficiency of the procedure when done in suitable conditions.

Telltale signs that an individual needs arthroscopy of the knee include the following: excruciating knee pops, instability of the knee joint or wobbling of the knee, a prickling pain when moving the knee joint, and inflammation or swelling of the afflicted areas.

Knee Osteotomy

In cases of younger individuals, these arthritics only commonly have deterioration of only 1 area of the knee joint. It is for this reason that they are in no way recommended to pursue complete knee replacement surgery.

In some cases, arthritis also manifests as knock-legged or bow-legged cases, which are characterized by a joint reorientation, such that the weight center is transferred from its damaged region to its healthy region. In such instances, osteotomy is usually the best option.

The Hybrid: Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Considered a "hybrid" of both knee osteotomy and complete knee replacement surgery, partial knee replacement surgery is to a large extent less invasive than complete knee replacement surgery. This surgical procedure is performed through the replacement of the degraded region of the affected articulation with prosthetics, while the healthy areas are left alone to allow for healing. This surgery is encouraged for severe cases of arthritis restricted to specific areas of articulation. Compared to complete knee replacement surgery, this surgical procedure necessitates more tiny cuts and allows for a faster period of recovery.

A Practical Option: Knee Replacement Surgery

For most arthritis sufferers, the best choice is complete knee replacement surgery. This surgery includes the complete removal and replacement of the degraded tissue with metal or plastic prosthetic implants.

Arthritis Knee Surgery and Associated Risks

Similar to a good number pf major surgeries, patients who have undergone arthritis knee surgery are vulnerable to thrombosis, nerve damage, infections and some anesthesia risks.

Further, this surgery involves specific post-operative risks, such as joint instability, fracture/dislocation of the kneecap, as well as diminished mobility or decreased range of motion.

The Pros and Cons of Arthritis Knee Surgery

Regardless of the risks connected to the surgery, arthritis knee surgery has several advantages that may help arthritis sufferers. The main advantages are, to name a few, considerable pain alleviation, enhanced mobility, as well as a considerable betterment of the patient's overall health. Additionally, within 6 months after the surgery, the previously afflicted joint may resume its full functionality.

However, this procedure also comes with a few evident drawbacks. For instance post-surgery patients may likely feel some discomfort and soreness in the time following the arthritis knee surgery. In addition, the use of the prosthetic joint can be noisy and invite some attention. Sometimes, movement difficulties may possibly arise. Plus, depending on the type of prosthetics used, the fake knee can have limited usability, for example only 10-15 years before it needs to be replaced again.

That being said, however, if we weigh the pain and discomfort evident in a few patients versus the immense probability for successful post-surgery results, it is easy to figure out that the pros of this type of surgery definitely outweigh its cons. - 15343

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