Research estimates that you may have between 250 to 350 joints in your body. Therefore, it is more common that you may have joint problems in your hips, shoulders, knees, or hands due to severe trauma to the cartilage cushioning and protecting the bones in your joint. But, the good news is that it is possible to benefit from Oklahoma City same day discharge services. Of course, that depends on the type of surgical procedure your health provider uses and your medical history and physical health. Your surgeon will recommend same-day discharge if there are no severe issues a few hours after joint replacement surgery.
When to consider joint replacement surgery
If you have a joint problem, your orthopedic surgeon and hip and knee specialist will often recommend conservative treatments like physical therapy, modification of activities, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections.
Anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroid injections are excellent for relieving pain and swelling in the area affected by a joint issue. Activity modifications involve abandoning activities that cause excessive strain on the affected joint.
Still, non-surgical treatments may fail to stop the functional decline of your damaged joint and the disabling discomfort and pain you experience. Your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery if your joints are stiff to limit your movement, you cannot perform your routine activities, and your quality of life is deteriorating.
Types of joint replacement
Your surgeon may recommend partial or total joint replacement. Partial joint replacement involves replacing a small portion of the joint; thus, the recovery time is much shorter. On the other hand, total joint replacement consists of replacing a damaged bone and cartilage with a prosthetic component made using plastic, ceramic, or metal.
Advantages of joint replacement surgery
You may need joint replacement surgery because you have a health problem that causes the deterioration of your joint or a severe injury or trauma causing irreversible destruction to the joint. Regardless of the cause of your problem, a surgical procedure can fuse your joints with prosthetics to relieve your pain and improve your movements or motions.
One of the main benefits of joint replacement surgery is its effectiveness. Your surgeon can rebuild a damaged joint, which allows you to use your joint with minimum or no pain and discomfort. Thus, you can continue performing your routine movements and activities, including hiking, cycling, swimming, and golf. That means that your quality of life will improve significantly.
Joint replacement surgery is also beneficial because it makes you less susceptible to chronic health conditions. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says that surgical treatment to eliminate your joint problem is associated with reduced risk of death, depression, and heart failure.
Joint replacement surgery is also increasingly preferred because it is much safer and more effective. Still, remember that each surgical procedure has its potential risk and complications. For example, surgical treatment may expose you to infections, pain in the region with an artificial joint, and further damage to the joint and adjacent structures.
Contact Mitchell Hip and Knee today to schedule an appointment for your joint replacement surgery and learn more about same-day discharge.