Commonly asked questions about joint replacement surgery can include a variety of topics such as pain, recovery, technological advancements, as well as seeking out whether there are other options before undergoing a joint replacement surgery. In this blog, five common questions will be answered. If you have any additional questions or would like to further discuss whether a joint replacement is right for you, contact us today!
Blog 10: Commonly Asked Questions – Part 3
1. Is a joint replacement considered a major surgery?
This question can be subjective to the patient and the surgeon. While a joint replacement surgery is defined as an elective surgery, that does not downgrade the procedure or experience required for a successful outcome, in our opinion. Receiving a joint replacement surgery requires commitment to the treatment plan, adherence to the optimization aspect, and overall patient-surgeon compliance with the concierge program. A joint replacement recovery period is one full year which means it takes one full year before you will be as good as you will get, post surgery. Many patients are surprised by this because they experience immediate relief after surgery from joint pain. We cautiously remind them to take it easy and adhere to the recovery program provided to avoid overuse in the first few weeks and months. For some people, being unable to drive for a few weeks, or out of work for a few weeks means it is a major surgery while for others, it doesn’t have quite the same impact. We work with each patient to understand their needs during recovery and do our best to accommodate, allowing them to return to a normal lifestyle as quickly as possible.
2. Do you have surgical videos of a knee and hip surgery?
Yes, we do! We have several surgical videos of the hip and knee replacement surgeries. Including the surgeon’s point of view, a unique perspective, we invite anyone who is interested in watching the surgery to check out our YouTube channel: YouTube.com/@RCHPrivatePracticePodcast If you have additional requests for surgical videos, please submit a contact form on our website and a member of our team will reach out to you.
3. What other options are there besides joint replacement surgery?
In addition to joint replacement surgery, many people seek non-surgical treatment options prior to scheduling a surgery. Our expert team would be happy to provide you with an in person or a virtual consultation if you are curious about the surgical and non-surgical options regarding joint pain relief. Included in non-surgical options are over the counter non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, (NSAIDs), Iovera treatment, physical therapy, and steroid injections. Many times, patients will find much relief through one or more of these options for extended periods of time. It’s important, though, to consult with an orthopedic surgeon, even if your non-surgical options are providing relief, because unfortunately, these options typically only provide temporary relief and arthritis is not reversible, so many patients do eventually receive joint replacements when the non-surgical options are no longer providing relief. Our team can work with you to create a customized plan which works for you and your personal needs, which adapt over time.
4. What is the future joint replacement technology and is it reliable?
The future joint replacement technology is challenging to know whether it is reliable or not, because we don’t yet know what might develop. What is important to discuss is how we evaluate, practice, and learn from new technologies as they are created. Our expert team does not implement changes to our procedures, devices, technologies or processes without extensive research, advanced diagnostic evaluations, and long-term proof of success. Our surgeons do not utilize robot technology and believe strongly in the surgeon performing the operation. There are several advantages, both long and short term, to opting for surgeon performed surgeries, and we stand firm in our belief that robotic surgeries will not be practiced in our office. As other advancements are made in devices, technologies, radiograph, EMR, data, and patient experience, we are open minded to implementing changes that align with our core mission, beliefs and standards. We are a patient first, patient focused practice with a mission and values that have created the foundation for our successes.
5. What can I expect from a joint replacement after 10 years?
After 10 years, if you have taken care of your joint replacement, attended your follow up appointments, and communicated any issues or concerns, you can expect your joint replacement to be functioning just the same as it did 10 days after surgery. Joint replacements are designed to last patients for 25+ years and counting. It’s important to note that there may be times where your joint is more stiff, sore, or in some pain due to surroundings such as weather or movement, but it typically is not anything more than a few hours of discomfort which can be alleviated through over the counter medication. We recommend patients attend all post operative appointments as scheduled and contact our office with questions regarding activity, diet, exercise, and activities of daily living after a joint replacement surgery.
