Orthopedic Surgery FAQ
- What is total knee replacement?
- What are the advantages of arthroscopy?
- What is hip resurfacing?
- What are the most common sports medicine injuries?
- What is hip revision surgery?
1. What is total knee replacement?
Total knee replacement surgery consists of the complete removal and replacement of the knee joint with a metal and plastic prosthesis. Total knee replacement surgery may benefit patients who are unable to complete everyday tasks, such as walking, because of severe knee pain or stiffness. Some patients may also experience pain while sitting or lying down. The most common causes of severe knee pain are advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or trauma. Total knee replacement surgery is an invasive surgical procedure, so patients will normally be required to stay at the hospital for three to five days post surgery. Patients are typically able to stand and move the knee joint without pain the same day as the surgery, but will need the assistance of a cane or crutches for approximately six weeks after the operation. Total knee replacement patients can typically expect to return to almost all of their daily activities, except for running or jumping, once they regain strength and stability.
2. What are the advantages of arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique in which a fiber optic camera and specialized pencil-sized instruments are inserted into small incisions along the joint to view, treat, and repair joint damage. Arthroscopic surgery is usually considered an outpatient procedure, so the majority of patients will not be required to stay overnight post surgery. In addition to a shorter hospital stay, patients will likely experience less post-operative pain. Many patients are able to return to work and normal daily activities a few days after surgery, but should wait to participate in athletic activities for several weeks.
3. What is hip resurfacing?
Hip resurfacing is considered an alternative to total hip replacement. During this procedure, the ball of the hip joint is trimmed and covered with a smooth metal covering, rather than completely removed and replaced with a prosthesis. During a hip resurfacing procedure, the damaged bone and cartilage of the hip socket is removed and replaced entirely by a metal shell, as is done during a total hip replacement surgery. Hip resurfacing is usually recommended for patients with severe osteoarthritis, who are younger than 60. A patient’s bone strength and body frame will also determine if hip resurfacing is more advantageous than total hip replacement. Hip resurfacing patients can usually expect a more natural walking pattern and a greater range of motion post surgery.
4. What are the most common sports medicine injuries?
Redwood Regional Medical Group specializes in the correction of sports related injuries, including ligament tears, which are the most commonly treated. Ligament tears are the result of stretching the ligament beyond its normal range of motion, most often caused by abnormal movement, overexertion, and direct force. The ACL and MCL are two of the four main ligaments in the knee and are the most frequently damaged. Damage to the ACL usually occurs after pivoting or rapid changes in speed, and are often associated with soccer and basketball. MCL injuries are caused by direct blows to the outside of the knee, which force the knee joint to bend inward. MCL injuries are more common in contact sports such as football, while ACL injuries are often also associated with non-contact sports, such as golf and tennis.
5. What is hip revision surgery?
The surgeons at Redwood Regional Medical Group specialize in hip revision surgery. Hip revision surgery is a more complex procedure than hip replacement surgery, requiring expertise in diagnostics, procedure planning, and rehabilitation. Though rare, occasionally a hip prosthesis can become loose because of normal wear-and-tear over a long period of time or post-operative trauma. In either case, an additional surgery, known as hip revision surgery, may be required. Hip revision surgery consists of the removal and replacement of the existing hip prosthesis with bone grafts and a new prosthetic implant.
