A Brief Guide to Knee and Hip Replacements | Lemak Health
Knee and hip replacements involve lengthy and complex surgery during which the entire joint is replaced with an artificial version — known as a prosthesis.
While the need for a knee or hip replacement can strike at any age, the surgery is usually offered to people between the ages of 60 and 80. However, sports injuries and a range of underlying health conditions can result in the need for a replacement hip at a much earlier age.
What Are the Advantages of Hip and Knee Replacements?
The main benefit delivered by a hip or knee replacement is pain relief. Surgery involves the removal of damaged surfaces and tissues, such as bone. Metal and plastic are then used to replace these vital tissues, which means the source of the pain is completely removed.
Another major benefit delivered by successful joint replacement surgery is increased mobility. Severe knee and hip injuries can make the simple act of walking almost impossible. By replacing the joint completely, the patient may be able to regain enough mobility to enjoy activities such as swimming, walking and cycling again — although there are never any guarantees.
Who Can Benefit from Hip and Knee Replacements?
Anyone who is experiencing chronic pain and mobility issues might benefit from a full joint replacement. If you always experiencing pain in your knee or hip after physical activity, for example, a full replacement could help. In the case of a dysfunctional hip, you will be experiencing pain
Do you have difficulty putting socks and shoes on? If you find it hard to move your leg up and down, there’s a chance that your hip may need to be replaced. If the problem is with your knee, you may be finding it difficult to support your weight. In particularly serious cases, the knee can completely buckle.
While many people require a full joint replacement as a result of a specific sports injury, underlying health conditions are often to blame — such as osteoarthritis, hemophilia, gout, bone dysplasias and the gradual loss of cartilage.
Put simply: anyone who experiences long-term pain and mobility issues in their knee or hip can benefit from a full joint replacement. If the pain you’re experiencing isn’t subsiding, or you’re struggling to walk as far as you used to, it could be time for an assessment from an experienced orthopedic surgeon.