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Can Total Joint Replacement Increase Your Mobility?

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The human skeletal structure is made up of different types of joints. A joint is a meeting point of two bones. Normal healthy joints have articular cartilage and synovial fluid, allowing them to move smoothly.

Healthy joints also have degrees of motion. In some cases, due to injury, age, or disease, the articular cartilage is eroded, or synovial fluid is reduced in joints. When this happens, joints become stiff and painful; a condition called arthritis.

Arthritis can affect any joint in the body. Arthritis will make your joints stiff and tender, and your mobility is significantly reduced. Before considering joint replacement, your doctor may start with non-surgical methods to help you with pain.

Also, you may get walking aids, medications, or exercise to help you with mobility. Surgery is necessary either when these methods fail or when the joints are too compromised to be resolved by any other means.

What Types of Joint Replacements are Available?

The most common joint replacement surgery in Richardson and TX is done on the hips and the knees. Joint replacement surgery exists for other joints as well.

Hip Replacement

There are total and half hip replacements. A total hip replacement involves replacing both the femoral head and the acetabulum. On the other hand, a semi-hip replacement (Hemiarthroplasty) involves replacing the femoral head.

Why a Hip Replacement May Be Necessary

 

  • A serious and severe hip fracture
  • Severe arthritis
  • Degeneration due continous wear and tear

Hip replacement significantly improves joint mobility and reduces pain and stiffness.

Knee Replacement

Your knee is the most complex and the largest joint connecting major limbs and bears the total body weight. The knee is quite susceptible to multiple ailments and injuries. Knee replacement surgery significantly improves your mobility and the degree of motion for the knees.

Consider knee replacement surgery if:

  • Your knee pain keeps you up at night
  • You have trouble walking
  • You have knee pain every time you stand up or leave a car
  • You find it difficult to go up a flight of stairs
  • Your over the counter drugs are not working to alleviate your knee pain

Shoulder Replacement

The shoulder joint is also a ball and socket joint like the hip joint. There are several approaches to shoulder joint replacements such as:

  • The deltopectoral approach so that the deltoid is saved in cases of severe arthritis
  • The transdeltoid approach at the glenoid
  • Reverse total shoulder replacement

A physician can replace the elbow, wrist, and finger joints to increase mobility and reduce pain.

Total Joint Replacement

Total joint replacement is done on an arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface. Mostly, your knee or hip is replaced using a prosthesis. Joint replacement is done when your joints are severely painful or dysfunctional and have failed to respond to a non-invasive therapy. After total joint replacement, joint mobility is significantly improved, pain is reduced, and your quality of life is improved.

There are various options for joint replacement surgery in Richardson and TX. The options include:

  • Arthroscopy, where your surgeon repairs tears in the soft tissue
  • Replacement arthroplasty, where an arthritic joint surface is replaced using an orthopedic prosthesis
  • Joint resurfacing
  • Osteotomy
  • Synovectomy
  • Arthrodesis or fusion
  • Minimally invasive total joint replacement
  • Joint replacement

All in all, total joint replacement significantly improves mobility and reduces joint pain. You should consider a total joint replacement if your arthritic pain is making your life much more uncomfortable.

Contact Eminent Medical Center at Any Time

If you’re searching for premier medical treatment in Richardson, Eminent Medical Center wants to deliver for you. Call our genial and qualified staff today to get more information about all of the services we offer. If you have any questions, we’re accessible to chat with you. Contact us today!

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