Knee Replacement Surgery – What Is It and How It Works?
To understand why a joint replacement is necessary, it is important to understand how the joints work. What makes the joints work smoothly is the cartilage in which the bones meet at the joint, be it the hip, knee, elbow, ankle, or shoulder. Cartilage allows painless movement without friction and is usually smooth in texture. But the movement can become quite painful if the cartilage is badly worn or damaged. When a joint is worn enough to cause a bone to rub against bone, even minor daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, and even bending over, become painful and difficult. As it worsens, it can become completely debilitating.
Since the joints don’t bother us now, we take it for granted that we have the ability to walk, jog, run, bend over, or reach for something. But as they age, some may need full joint replacement surgery due to conditions that affect them, such as injuries that affect our joints, rheumatoid
Replacing the damaged cartilage with a plastic or metal joint and alleviating as much pain as possible is the end goal when surgery becomes an option. By replacing the cartilage, it is possible to fully restore the mobility and functionality of the joint, which in turn will restore mobility. For those patients who choose total joint replacement surgery in Singapore, many are able to return to quality of life and gain independence.
Fortunately, total joint replacement surgery is not as traumatic for patients as it was in the past, thanks to the technology available today. Patients can even begin moving the new joint the same day as after surgery, when many shoulder and knee replacements are performed. Rather than spending weeks in the hospital, many patients can go home in no time, usually a few days after surgery, and will be able to spend most of their rehabilitation at home.
A proactive home health routine, including physical therapy, is essential to maximize new joint function. Each patient will have a different amount of time for how quickly he recovers and activates after joint replacement surgery. You can better prepare by knowing what to expect if your doctor tells you that surgery is best for you.
