Hip and Partial Knee Replacement

Joint replacement is not uncommon. Many people undergo different types of replacement surgeries such as the partial knee replacement, hip replacement and wrist replacement. The main reason behind such surgeries is severe medical conditions like arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis are the two main types that call for such surgeries. These surgeries are carried out for patients who suffer with intolerable pain.

The surgery is usually the last step when every other treatment fails. Only when medication, exercises and physiotherapy fail, surgery is done. After a point of time for some patients, it gets impossible to be able to function at all and the pain in joints reaches its threshold. This happens usually when the cartilage is damaged. The cartilage acts like a cushion between two bones in a joint. When it is harmed or when it wears away, the joint begins to inflame severely because the bones rub against one another harshly.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis is usually more painful and is the most common reason behind surgery. The main reason behind this medical condition is age. Injury is another reason and obesity plays a big role in worsening the condition. Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand is an auto-immune disease. In this condition, the joint-lining is affected. Swelling, stiffness and inflammation are the main effects seen. In this condition, the damaged lining can also invade the cartilage and bone and damage them.

While hip replacement and partial knee replacement are the common surgeries, there are also ankle, wrist, shoulder, foot and elbow surgeries. The extent of the surgery you go through will depend on how severe your problem is. Hip replacement may be total or partial and the latter is also known as hip resurfacing. When the problem is in the knee, total or partial knee replacement surgery is carried out. In the total replacement surgery, the entire cartilage is removed. In the partial replacement surgery, only the damaged part is removed and replaced.

Depending on your condition, the doctor will go for either partial or total replacement surgeries. You can find numerous knee and Hip replacement surgeons in your locality but you should be careful to choose only an experienced and reputed surgeon.