Orthopedics

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Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery

Find information about hip and knee replacement surgery. Hip replacement and knee replacement are surgical options for the treatment of severe arthritis.
What Is Computer-Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery?
A recent advance in joint replacement surgery is the use of computer-assisted joint replacement. During a computer assisted joint replacement surgery, electronic probes are placed along the limb to ensure the implanted joint is properly posistion in the body.
What Are the Risks of Hip and Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement surgery has potential risks and complications. Before undergoing a knee replacement, a patient should have a general understanding of the potential risks and complications of this procedure. Risks of knee replacement include blood clots, stiffness, loosening, and infection of the implant.
Will joint replacement help me lose weight?
Many patients with hip and knee arthritis are hopeful that joint replacement surgery will help them in their efforts to lose weight. The hope is that having less painful joints will allow patients to exercise more and result in decreased body weight. Unfortunately, most patients do not lose weight after joint replacement.
Should I exercise before joint replacement surgery?
A recent study has investigated the effects of initiating an exercise routine before undergoing hip-replacement or knee-replacement surgery. In patients who undergo an exercise program before joint replacement, they are stronger going in to surgery and less likely to require inpatient rehabilitation after surgery.
Choose A Surgeon
Choosing who is going to perform you surgery is one of the most important decisions you can make. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right doctor.
Is it a bad idea to postpone joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement surgery is usually the last in a series of treatments for arthritis. Most often it is fine to delay joint replacement until nonoperative treatments no longer relieve your pain.
Am I too old for joint replacement?
Most patients undergoing joint replacement are in their 50s to 70s. However, some patients in their 80s and 90s may have arthritis that has become debilitating. Are these patients too old for joint replacement surgery?
Preparing For Joint Replacement Surgery
Prepare yourself for joint replacement surgery by understanding what you have ahead. There are steps to take before knee replacement or hip replacement that will help you achieve good results from your surgery.
Planning For Your Return Home From Joint Replacement Surgery
Having joint replacement surgery takes a lot of planning, but patients often forget about planning for their return home. After joint replacement surgery, including hip replacement or knee replacement, you may need some extra help around the house. Planning ahead can take the anxiety out of returning home from joint replacement surgery.
How to Prepare for Orthopedic Surgery
Knowing what will happen on the day of an expected surgery can help you be prepared. Find out what to bring to the hospital, how to prepare, and when to show up. Call your doctor for information specific to your surgery.
Are surgeries done through small incisions better?
Over the past decade, one of the most significant advances in orthopedic surgery is the advent of techniques used to minimize the size of incisions and the amount of tissue dissection. Two of the most common types of surgeries that minimize incision size are arthroscopic procedures and minimally invasive joint replacement surgery.
Do I need antibiotics for dental work after a joint replacement?
Avoiding infections of implanted joint replacements, such as hip replacements and knee replacements, is critically important. If a joint replacement becomes infected, it may be necessary to remove the implanted joint. When patients with a joint replacement have dental work, antibiotics may be given to prevent an infection.
Blood Donation Before Surgery
Blood transfusions are sometimes required after surgery. Most blood transfusions come from donated blood, but some patients choose to donate their own blood preoperatively. Learn about preoperative blood donation and if it may be appropriate for you.
How long do blood thinning medications need to be taken after joint replacement?
After joint replacement surgery, doctors prescribe a blood thinning medication to help prevent the risk of a blood clot. While there are guidelines for how long to take blood thinning medicaitons, the exact time may deend on your individual situation.
Can blood be collected and reinfused after surgery?
Blood collected from a surgical drain can be reinfused into the patient. This is an option for patients who have significant blood loss or do not want a transfusion of donor blood.
Packing List
Do you know what to take to the hospital and what to leave behind? Here is a helpful list to ensure you show up to surgery with everything you'll need.

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Orthopedics

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