Arthro…what?
The term arthroplasty may not be as familiar to you as the term “total joint replacement,” but they are related.
Total joint replacement is a very common form of arthroplasty, but partial joint replacement and joint resurfacing also fall into this type of procedure. Every year there are approximately 713,000 arthroplastic surgeries performed in the United States, the majority of those being for hips and knees.
Arthroplasty is the surgical reconstruction or replacement of a malformed or degenerated joint. Your surgeon will remove the arthritic or damaged surfaces of your bone and replace (either partially or completely) with artificial material or an implant. This procedure helps restore full range of motion and relieves pain and stiffness in joints.
Arthroplasty is generally used after other less invasive techniques, such as physical therapy and medication, have failed to relieve severe and disabling joint pain—whether chronic or the result of an injury. It is also used for joint pain caused as a result of diseases that cause joint destruction such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
What sort of outcome and recovery can you expect?
Satisfaction after joint replacement surgeries is incredibly high. Arthroplastic surgery does require a hospital stay and rehabilitative therapy, but most people can expect a full recovery. Most patients are walking normally after six to eight weeks (depending on the surgery) and can return to full activity after six months to a year. Rest assured that your stay at Brigham City Community Hospital will be safe, comfortable and close to home in northern Utah.
To schedule an appointment with one of our joint specialists, call 855-796-0593.