As we age, orthopaedic surgery becomes more commonplace as it deals with painful injury and trauma caused to the bones, joints or anywhere that takes the strain of the body moving. There are, however, a number of surgical treatments that can aid with the longevity and pain relief of these parts of the body.
Knee Replacement
A knee replacement can be done in full or partial and is performed due to cartilage damage to the knee joints. This common surgery involves replacing a damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint.
Most commonly this procedure is carried out on people between the ages of 60 and 80 when mobility is reduced due to pain even when resting.
Shoulder Replacement
Serious discomfort may encourage your doctor to recommend a shoulder replacement. This will involve the replacing of the natural bone in the ball and socket of your shoulder joint with either metal or plastic.
A total shoulder replacement will replace the ball at the top of the humerus with a metal ball and cover the socket with a new plastic surface. In a partial replacement, only the ball gets replaced.
ACL Reconstruction Surgery
ACL reconstruction surgery is to replace a torn ligament in the knee due to an injury which most commonly occurs during sports that require sudden stops and changes in direction such as football and rugby.
The surgery focuses on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which connects the thigh bone to the shinbone and recovery is relatively quick. Patients can walk unassisted within 2-4 weeks and will even be able to brisk walk/light jog after 10-12 weeks.
Hip Replacement
Hip surgery involves a damaged hip joint being replaced with an artificial one. Again, most people needing this treatment will be between the ages of 60 and 80. It is needed when the cartilage in the hip is worn over time, leading to it needing replacing. Warning signs will include severe pain, swelling and stiffness in the hip joint, loss of mobility, depression, an inability to work or have a social life.
The surgery involves a general anaesthetic before a surgeon makes an incision to the hip to remove the damaged hip joint and replace it with an artificial one. Due to the trauma of the surgery, it takes quite a while for patients to recover completely and it is only after 6 weeks that it is possible to return to light activities.
The Effects
Although orthopaedic surgery can seem like a daunting prospect, these are all common procedures that can make the world of difference when experiencing bone and joint pain. Especially for those around 60 to 80 years of age, a hip replacement, ACL reconstructive surgery, shoulder replacement or knee replacement can deliver mobility and pain-free movement.
