Revision Knee and Hip Replacement: Recovery Time and Procedure
Dealing with so much pain in the knees or hips is the worst thing. It is so because it is the biggest cause of physical disability among old people in the world. However, joint replacements are always a great way to treat chronically painful joints.
If you have recently undergone a joint replacement, learn about a revision.
What is a knee replacement?
A knee arthroplasty is to replace either damaged or worn-out parts causing such pain and inflammation that the patient has become physically inactive. In such a condition, when it becomes totally impossible for a human being to move their knees, a replacement is done to alleviate pain and help regain mobility.
What is a hip replacement?
An arthroplasty is also recommended in cases where the hip has sustained severe damage because of either external trauma or natural wear and tear and hence, the same hip joint has become completely immobilised.
The surgeon proceeds with exposing the hip joint first via surgical incisions.
Secondly, the practitioner removes all the deteriorated or degenerated parts like the acetabulum along with the femoral head and neck. The acetabulum is a lower region in your hip bone, called the pelvis. This is like a hemispherical cavity where the head of your thigh bone hinges on.
Your thigh bone that fits into the acetabulum cavity is like a ball that is why the entire hip joint is called the socket-and-ball junction.
So, when such bones along with certain soft tissue get damaged, the surgeon removes them and resurfaces the eliminated parts using artificial components like the acetabular cup, liner, thigh bone ball and stem.
If you are planning your revision hip replacement in Delhi, ensure that you get it done from a well-qualified surgeon.
Why do we need a revision?
A revision after an initial joint replacement is basically required because of the following reasons:
● Dislocation of joints due to trauma
● Your previous implants have become loose
● After the arthroplasty, certain complications such as infection and instability have arisen
What is the procedure for a revision?
After a joint replacement like a knee or hip, you can live a pain-free life without any complications.
However, under certain circumstances, you might need revision surgery.
Knee replacement revision procedure
When you are under the effects of anaesthetic, your surgeon will first access your joints via incisions. Afterwards, the surgeon will remove the old or damaged implants to replace them with new ones.
Hip replacement revision procedure
In this revision procedure, an orthopedic surgeon will first expose the previously replaced parts. Then, worn-out or damaged parts will be removed.
A revision process is a complicated medical intervention as the medical authority cannot remove any bones at all as most of them are already taken away during the initial replacement surgery.
Thus, it is extremely crucial that you first find the best revision surgeon for yourself, otherwise, complications and risks are immense! Don’t take such a treatment that demands precision from any local claiming to be a professional arthroplasty surgeon.
For the best revision knee replacement in Delhi, you have to find the best surgeon too.
Recovery timeline after the revision
However, a precise, detailed, and personalised explanation of how much time it would take you to recover from a revision can only be given by a well-qualified and experienced orthopedic medical authority. So, don’t forget to enquire about it when you meet with your surgeon.
However, for a general overview, consider the following.
Immediate Post Surgery: You are taken to the recovery room and a team of medical professionals provide you with great medical care. Your vital body signs like heartbeats, blood pressure, infection possibilities are closely monitored in case any complications might develop post-revision.
First Few Weeks: Your wounds and pain will be attended to next so you ease through the initial days of recovery without having to deal with too much physical discomfort.
First Few Months: The patient who has undergone the revision starts physiotherapy, and rehabilitation exercises to regain joint mobility and go back to the previous lifestyle. This is also the time where the concerned person also has to avoid high-impact activities.
Three to Six Months: This is the time when mostly you will have started noticing considerable mobility and pain improvements. However, you may continue to do certain exercises for healthy joint muscles with pain medications and particular restrictions like you cannot jump or run etc.
Six Months to One Year: By then, you will have seen much improvement in the way you move your revised joint whether it is a knee or hip. During this time, most probably you are all good to go and lead a normal life like before.
Things to avoid after the revision
Make sure you take all of the following out of your mind if you want a fast and normal recovery:
● Junk Food
● Smoking and Excessive Alcohol
● Dehydration
● Sleep Deficiency
● High-Impact Activities
● Physical Exhaustion
● Sudden Movements
● Strenuous Sports
● Ignoring pain and swelling
Don’t eat junk food at all. It will force you to eat less of good and nutritious foods and you will lack essential nutrients, prolonging the time of your recovery. In addition, make sure to avoid smoking and alcohol.
Drinking water up to the recommended level will help keep your joints lubricated and healthy, otherwise, you might have to deal with stiffness, swelling, and pain.
Furthermore, sleep is also important for a normal recovery as sleep is the natural rejuvenation process. Stay away from all sorts of arduous and heavy exercises.
However, you can do light ones as your physiotherapist must have told you.
Conclusion
Assume that, after a knee or hip replacement revision, your pain doesn’t go away and you have difficulty mobilising the concerned joint. Meet with the same surgeon once again.