Joint Replacement

The first sucessful Joint Replacement in the OECS was performed by our Surgeon Dr. K.K Singh in August 1993 at the Adelin Medical Centre. Since then we have been performing Total Hip and Knee Joint replacement as a routine procedure.

One of the major technological advancements developed by Orthopaedist over the last quarter century has been the total joint replacement. This is the removal of an arthritic or damaged joint and replace with an artificial joint called a prosthesis. The surgery has the potential to eliminate or significantly decrease pain associated with degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or joint disease secondary to congenital anomalies.

Hip and knee replacements are the most common but joint replacement can be performed on other joints, including the ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, and fingers.

What is total joint replacement?
When an arthritic or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint called a prosthesis.

How is a total joint replacement performed?
You will be given an anesthetic and the surgeon will replace the damaged parts of the joint. For example, in an arthritic knee the damaged ends of the joints are replaced with metallic & non allergic & durable plastic surfaces that are shaped to restore knee movement and function. In an arthritic hip, the damaged ball is replaced by a metal ball attached to a metal stem fitted into the femur, and a plastic socket is implanted into the pelvis, replacing the damaged socket. Although hip and knee replacements are the most common, joint replacement can be performed on other joints, including the ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, and fingers.

The materials used in a total joint replacement are designed to enable the joint to move just like your normal joint. The prosthesis is generally composed of two parts. A metal piece that fits closely into a matching sturdy plastic piece. Several metals are used, including stainless steel, alloys of cobalt and chrome, and titanium. The plastic material is durable and wear resistant. A plastic bone cement may be used to anchor the prosthesis into the bone. Joint replacements also can be implanted without cement when the prosthesis and the bone are designed to fit and lock together directly.

Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement is an increasingly effective and desirable approach to a range of problems affecting the knee. It is one of the most consistently successful therapeutic measures in all of medicine and surgery today. Overall patient satisfaction with the relief of pain and enhanced mobility is, in general, extremely high. The procedure can provide many years of improved mobility and reduced pain.

Though a total knee replacement is a major operation, you should not feel alone in taking this path : each year almost half a million all over the world benefit from it. This information is aimed to make you understand how a total knee replacement can improve the quality of your life, we suggest that you speak to someone who has had the successful surgery.

To understand a total knee replacement, it helps to understand the structure of the knee joint. The knee is a complex joint that involves three bones: the femur, the tibia, and the patella. When you bend or straighten your knee, the end of the femur rolls against the end of the tibia, and the patella glides in front of the femur.

Research has steadily improved the materials available for knee replacement. The durability of the prosthesis can very from patient to patient because each patient’s body places slightly different stresses on a new knee. Even so, you can expect to enjoy improved mobility, relief of pain and the ability to walk for many years to come.

Total Hip Replacement
In a total hip replacement surgery, the painful parts of the damaged hip are replaced with artificial hip parts called prosthesis, a device that substitutes or supplements a joint. The prosthesis consists of three components: a socket, ball, and stem. The outer shell of the socket is usually made of metal and the inner shell consists of plastic or the entire socket may be plastic. When the metal ball is joined with the socket, the new hip allows for smooth nearly frictionless movement.

Although there has been remarkable improvements in technology, joint replacement is a significant operation, and it demands that patients be given extraordinary attention before, during and after their hospital stay. The Adelin Medical Center provides that quality and personalized care and is supported by a consultant physician, anesthesiologists, physical therapists and nurses. Outstanding diagnostic, surgical and rehabilitation services enable us to offer you complete care and bring you the benefits of the latest advances in total knee replacement. If you have any questions or are told anything that you don’t understand, please let us know. Your full understanding of your treatment makes it easier for us to help you recover.

We at Ortho Medical Associates believe that the patient should be well informed about their treatment options and to that end Dr. K K Singh and the staff at Ortho Medical Associates are here to serve you If you have any questions or need clarification.