What causes pain in my hip?

-         Osteoarthritis

-         Rheumatoid arthritis

-         Fractures/dislocations

-         Aseptic bone necrosis / Avascular necrosis

Can it be cured?

Since hip pain results from damage to the joint, there is no "cure." However there are a variety of treatment options available, ranging from rehabilitation to total hip replacement surgery.

What is a hip replacement?

In a total hip replacement surgery, the painful parts of the damaged hip are replaced with artificial hip parts called a prosthesis, a device that substitutes or supplements a joint. The prosthesis consists of steel components: a socket, ball, and stem. The outer shell of the socket is usually made of metal and the inner shell consists of plastic, or the entire socket may be plastic. When the metal ball is joined with the socket, the new hip can allow for smooth, nearly frictionless movement.

How do I know if I need a hip replacement?

If you have difficulty walking or performing everyday activities such as getting dressed, it may be time to consider hip replacement surgery. Doctors generally try to delay total hip replacement for as long as possible in favor of less invasive treatments. However in patients with advanced joint disease, hip replacement offers the chance for relief from pain and a return to normal activities.

How old is the average patient?

The average joint replacement patients are around 65-70 years old, however patients of all ages have received hip implants.

What activities can I do or not do after receiving a hip implant?

Typically, patients are advised to avoid high impact sports such as jogging, basketball, racquetball, gymnastics, etc. Safer activities may include walking, golf, swimming, and cycling.  Your doctor will advise you on safe activities for your particular condition.

Will an implant set off a metal detector?

Patients have reported mixed experiences at airports: some detectors go off and some don't. You may be provided with a special card to keep in your wallet explaining that you have a hip implant.

Will a hip implant last a lifetime?

The longevity of a prosthetic hip (how long it will last) varies from patient to patient. It depends on many factors, such as a patient's physical condition and activity level, body weight and the surgical technique. A prosthetic joint is not as strong or durable as a natural, healthy joint, and there is no guarantee that a prosthetic joint will last the rest of a patient's life. All prosthetic hips may need to be revised (replaced) at some point.

What causes knee pain?

There are many different causes of knee pain, including injury, arthritis and infection.

Is there a cure?

It depends on the problem. Some knee pain can be treated through rehabilitation, other cases may require surgery.

What is a knee replacement?

In total knee replacement surgery, the parts of the bones that rub together are resurfaced with metal and plastic implants. Using special, precision instruments, your surgeon will typically remove the damaged surfaces of all three bones. The replacement surfaces will then be fixed into place.

The surface of the femur is replaced with a rounded metal component that comes very close to matching the curve of your natural bone. The surface of the tibia is replaced with a smooth plastic component. This flat metal component holds a smooth plastic piece made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene plastic that serves as the cartilage. The undersurface of the kneecap may also be replaced with an implant made of the same polyethylene plastic.

How do I know if I need a knee replacement?

If you have difficulty walking or performing everyday activities such as getting dressed, it may be time to consider knee replacement surgery.

Doctors generally try to delay total knee replacement for as long as possible in favor of less invasive treatments. However for patients with advanced joint disease, knee replacement offers the chance for relief from pain and a return to normal activities.

Will an implant set off a metal detector?

Since knee implants are made of metal, there's a chance they could set off metal detectors. Patients have reported mixed experiences at airports: some detectors go off and some don't. You may be provided with a special card to keep in your wallet explaining that you have a knee implant.

How common is knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement is a routine surgery performed on over 600,000 people worldwide each year. Over 90% of people who have had Total Knee Replacement experience an improvement in knee pain and function.

How old is the average patient?

The average joint replacement patient is around 65-70 years old, however patients of all ages have received knee implants.

I am knock-kneed/bow-legged. Can knee replacement surgery correct this?

Many people are born with a natural tendency toward knock knees or bowleggedness. However, severe arthritis can lead to an uncomfortable degree of misalignment.

One of the goals of total knee replacement is to restore your body's natural alignment. Zimmer has special instrumentation to help surgeons replicate natural, optimum alignment.

How long will a joint replacement last?

Longevity of the prosthetic knee varies from patient to patient. It depends on many factors, such as a patient's physical condition, activity level, and weight, as well as the accuracy of implant placement during surgery. It is useful to keep in mind that prosthetic joints are not as strong or durable as a natural, healthy joint, and there is no guarantee that a prosthetic joint will last the rest of a patient's life.

Today, total knee replacement has become a common and predictable procedure. Many patients enjoy relief from pain and improved function, compared to their status before surgery. As a result, some patients may have unrealistic expectations about what the prosthetic knee can do and how much activity it can withstand. As with any mechanical joint, the knee components move against each other. Natural fluid in the joint space, called synovial fluid, helps to lubricate the implants just as it lubricates the bones and cartilage in a natural joint. Still, the prosthetic components do wear as they roll and slide against each other during movement. As with car tires or brake pads, the rate of wear depends partly on how the knee joint is used. Activities that place a lot of stress on the joint implants, as may be the case with heavier and more active patients, may reduce the service life of the prosthesis. Implant loosening and wear on the plastic portions of the implant can lead to the necessity for revision surgery to replace the worn components, or all of the components. Your doctor will be in the best position to discuss these issues with you, taking into account your particular clinical circumstances, the type of implants used, and your post-surgical lifestyle.

Talk with your doctor about the following points, and how they might affect the longevity and success of your knee replacement:

• Avoiding repetitive heavy lifting
• Avoiding excessive stair climbing
• Maintaining appropriate weight
• Staying healthy and active
• Avoiding "impact loading" sports such as jogging, downhill skiing and high impact aerobics
• Consulting your surgeon before beginning any new sport or activity
• Thinking before you move
• Avoiding any physical activities involving quick stop-start motion, twisting or impact stresses
• Avoiding excessive bending when weight bearing, like climbing steep stairs
• Not lifting or pushing heavy objects
• Not kneeling
• Avoiding low seating surfaces and chairs

What is elbow replacement?

In elbow replacement surgery, the painful surfaces of the damaged elbow are replaced with artificial elbow parts. One part fits into the humerus (upper arm), and the other part fits into the ulna (forearm). The two parts are then connected and held together by a pin. The resulting hinge allows the elbow to bend.

How do I prepare for elbow replacement surgery?

If you and your surgeon decide that total elbow replacement is right for you, a date will be scheduled for your surgery. Several things may be necessary to prepare for surgery. For example, your surgeon might ask you to have a physical examination by your primary care physician. This will ensure that other health problems you may have, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, will be treated before surgery. Your doctor, or a staff member, will advise you about the things you can do to prepare for your hospital stay, and your rehabilitation after surgery.

Source: zimmer.com

What parts of the body can undergo arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is most commonly performed on the knee and shoulder joints. Less commonly arthroscoped joints include the wrist, elbow, ankle and hip. The reason the knee and shoulder are the most commonly arthroscoped joints is that they are large enough to manipulate the instruments around, and they are amenable to arthroscopic surgery treatments.

Technically speaking, any joint can be arthroscoped. However, the practicality and the instrumentation available limit our ability to arthroscope every joint for all types of problems. The most common arthroscopic procedures include repairing cartilage and meniscus problems in the knee, and removing inflammation and repairing rotator cuff tears in the shoulder.

How is arthroscopic surgery performed?

When a knee arthroscopy is performed, a camera is inserted into the joint through a small incision (about one centimeter). The arthroscopic surgery camera is attached to a fiberoptic light source and shows a picture of the inside of the joint on a television monitor. The surgeon uses water under pressure to "inflate" the knee allowing more maneuverability and to remove any debris. One or more other incisions are made to insert instruments that can treat the underlying problem. For example, a shaver can be inserted to trim the edges of a meniscus tear.

Is arthroscopic surgery safe?

Understand that arthroscopic surgery is a surgical procedure and involves risks. These may include infection, blood clots, problems with anesthesia, etc. These are serious risks and the decision to undergo arthroscopic surgery should be taken seriously. That said, arthroscopic surgery is a "less invasive" procedure, and when performed for the right indications (meaning the right problems) it is often very successful. Ask your doctor for more information about arthroscopic surgery, and talk about the possible risks of undergoing the procedure.