Joint replacement: Advantages & disadvantages of undergoing the surgery

Joint replacement is a procedure of orthopaedic surgery, in which an arthritic or a damaged joint is replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device called prosthesis.    

In India, more than one lakh joint replacement surgeries are conducted every year, and the numbers are only increasing. “Initially, all these surgeries were conducted through traditional methods, wherein a large incision was made around the damaged joint,” a health practitioner at one of the orthopaedic hospitals in Kolkata states.

However, the techniques have changed with advancement in technology. Today, MIS (minimally invasive surgery) is used to carry out the surgery, by making small incisions around the affected area.  

MIS technique not only prevents blood loss, but enables quick recovery after the surgery. This technique is used in all the top multispecialty hospitals in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and other states of India.

A number of patients tend to delay joint replacement surgery, especially in India. They suffer from a lot of pain and reduced mobility, but do not undergo the surgery due to the fear of pain, a long rehabilitation process and many other reasons. But, the advantages of undergoing the surgery are often underestimated by the patients. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of joint replacement surgeries:

Advantages  

•  The main advantage of joint replacement surgery is the relief from pain. After the surgery, a patient doesn’t experience pain as the affected part is removed and replaced with an implant.   
  
•   It also increases the mobility of a patient. A patient is able to walk freely, climb the stairs, sit in different positions and perform most of the day-to-day activities.   

• It increases the overall quality of life. With a damaged joint, you will never be able to live your life up to its full potential. But, after the replacement surgery, you can get more involved in different aspects of your life with your family, neighbours and colleagues. 
  

 

Disadvantages

• There is always a chance of infection or blood clotting, especially if you are diabetic or a heart patient. Also, the surgery may not be profitable if you have a weak immune system.   
  
  
•  Other major risk, according to the health practitioner at an orthopaedic hospital in Kolkata is that the joint may not work as per your expectation. It may feel stiff and your knees may appear weak while performing different activities.

•  If you don’t undergo a proper rehabilitation process, you will not be able to regain the mobility you are looking for.   
  

•  Although the chances are less, but it is possible that your implant may become loose or get dislocated. Apart from this, you will most probably need to undergo another surgery after 20 years.
  

There are many advantages and disadvantages of joint replacement. However, it all depends on the severity of the problem and the rehabilitation process. If everything is planned in advance and executed efficiently, the chances of success will increase.