You might be suffering from joint or bone pain that’s affecting your quality of life and mobility. Fortunately, there are several orthopedic surgical interventions that can effectively treat these conditions and restore your active life. Whether you’re dealing with osteoarthritis, fractures, or ligament injuries, it’s important to understand your surgical options in order to make the best decision for your health. In this article, we’ll review the most common types of orthopedic surgery, including joint replacement surgery, reconstructive surgery, and arthroscopic surgery. We’ll also explain the surgical process and the recovery period for each of them. With the right treatment, you can regain the mobility and function you need to lead an active and healthy life.

Most Common Types of Orthopedic Surgery

Surgical orthopedics encompasses several types of common interventions.

Arthroscopies are minimally invasive procedures used to diagnose and treat joint issues. A small camera is inserted into the joint to examine and repair damaged tissues. The most frequent arthroscopic procedures are performed on the knee, shoulder, and hip.

Joint replacements, such as total hip or knee replacement, are major surgeries aimed at relieving chronic pain and restoring mobility. The damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial prosthesis.

Open and closed fracture interventions reduce and stabilize bone fractures using plates, screws, pins, nails, or external fixations. The goal is to facilitate healing and restore the normal shape and function of the bone.

Orthopedic surgeries are complex, but when indicated and performed by a qualified surgeon, they can greatly improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life. Complete recovery can take several months, so it’s important to carefully follow all postoperative instructions to optimize results.

Hip Surgery: Total Hip Replacement

A total hip arthroplasty, also known as total hip replacement, is a surgical procedure aimed at replacing the damaged hip joint. This is a common operation that can relieve chronic pain and improve mobility.

The Procedure

The surgical procedure typically takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours. The surgeon removes the head of the femur as well as the femoral neck and replaces them with artificial prostheses made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. The femoral head prosthesis is inserted into the femur, while the acetabular cavity prosthesis is placed in the pelvis. Together, these two components form a new hip joint.

Recovery

Recovery from a total hip arthroplasty usually takes about 3 months. Patients need to limit physical activities for 6 to 12 weeks. Physiotherapy usually begins the day after surgery to strengthen muscles and improve mobility. Most patients can resume driving after 6 weeks and return to work after 3 months or depending on their job activities.

Possible Risks and Complications

Although total hip arthroplasty is a very common surgical procedure, it is not without risks. Possible complications include infections, blood clots, fractures, prosthesis dislocation, and premature wear of components. To reduce the risks of complications, it’s important to choose a qualified orthopedic surgeon and follow all postoperative instructions.

Knee Surgery: Arthroscopy and Knee Replacement

Knee surgery is a common orthopedic intervention that can help relieve pain and restore mobility. The two most common types of knee surgery are arthroscopy and knee replacement.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves making small incisions in the knee and inserting a tiny camera to examine and repair joint injuries. The surgeon inserts specific surgical instruments through the incisions to trim or repair torn cartilage. Patients typically go home the same day, with minimal scarring and downtime. Arthroscopy can treat injuries such as:

• Meniscus tears: Damage to the cartilage cushions between the femur and tibia.
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries: Tears in the ACL, one of the major stabilizers of the knee.
• Cartilage lesions: Articular cartilage, which covers the ends of bones and allows smooth joint movement, can be trimmed or repaired.

Knee Replacement

In cases of severe arthritis or joint damage, knee arthroplasty may be recommended. The diseased knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant to relieve pain and improve mobility. The femur, tibia, and potentially the patella (kneecap) are resurfaced with replacement metal and plastic parts.

Recovery after knee arthroplasty can take weeks to months and requires rehabilitation. However, knee prostheses generally last from 15 to 20 years. The most common reasons for knee arthroplasty are:

• Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of the knee joint cartilage causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation and damage.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: Joint damage due to a previous knee injury, such as a fracture or ligament tear.

Whether it’s arthroscopic or replacement knee surgery, it can significantly improve mobility, relieve chronic knee pain, and help patients regain their daily activities. Discussing options with an orthopedic surgeon is the first step in finding the appropriate treatment based on the severity of your condition and desired outcome.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you should feel better informed about the orthopedic surgical options that can address a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders. While surgical interventions always carry risks, recent advancements in orthopedic surgical techniques, postoperative rehabilitation and reintegration, and pain management have greatly improved outcomes for many patients. By discussing options with your orthopedic surgeon, you can determine if surgery is appropriate in your case and, if so, choose a personalized approach that best meets your unique treatment needs. With accurate diagnosis, careful planning, and realistic expectations, orthopedic surgical intervention can often produce remarkable results in reducing chronic pain, restoring mobility, and enhancing quality of life.

 

Read also:

When to see an orthopedic surgeon?
What is an orthopedic clinic?
Private Orthopedic Surgery in Quebec: Is it the best choice?
Choosing your orthopedic surgeon
What to do before orthopedic surgery?
What to do after orthopedic surgery?
Managing chronic pain after orthopedic surgery