The new prosthetic may or may not be cemented in place. In some cases the physician will use both techniques to keep the new joint in its intended location. Cementing may be used more often in older individuals who do not move around as much. Cemented joints are not recommended for younger individuals who have good bone quality. The latter may take longer to heal because the bone must grow attached to it.
About 773,000 Americans have a hip or knee replaced each year. Risks of these surgeries will depend upon the health of the individual prior to surgery, how severe the arthritis is, and the type of joint replacement being performed. For answers to questions about the particular long-term effects and success speak with your surgeon to get his statistics.
The wrist joint can also be replaced and will effect a better long-term outcome than the previous fusions which were used to decrease pain. The concept is very similar to a hip replacement and although it does eliminate pain it cannot completely restore normal function. A typical person suffers from severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis but can also have some of the other less common causes. Following the surgery the patient must be willing to limit their activities in order to avoid destruction of the joint replacement. (4)
Only your physician can determine whether or not you need a joint replacement surgery for your arthritis. But only you can determine whether or not you’re willing to undertake this procedure. Prior to discussing your alternatives your physician will have done specific diagnostic evaluation in order to determine the extent of your disease and the ability of your joint tissue to withstand the surgery.
Discuss your options with your primary care physician and your rheumatologist as well as your insurance company. Know all your options and the consequences of any decisions you may make prior to making a decision which may significantly change the rest of your life. Undertaking a joint replacement because arthritis affected your joint will often significantly reduce, or eliminate, your pain and swelling. It can also increase your mobility and reduce your disability.
However, in order to gain the most advantages from the surgery it is also best to reduce the amount of stress on the joints which are suffering from degeneration or rheumatoid arthritis. This means reducing your weight in order to decrease the stress on knees and hips to changing the way in which you are using your hands in order to reduce the stress on those joints.
References:
(1) American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Total Joint Replacement
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00233
(2) University of Wisconsin Sports Medicine: Rehabilitation Guidelines for Surface Replacement Arthroplasty
http://www.uwhealth.org/files/uwhealth/docs/pdf2/SM_rehab_SRA.pdf
(3) American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Wrist Joint Replacement
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00019
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