Advanced Orthopedics - Joint Replacement |
The staff of the center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic problems, including shoulders, knees and ankles, spine, wrists, as well as joint replacement. Infections and degenerative joint disease, tumors, bone and joint injuries are common to a large part of the population in all ages, causing pain and limitation of function and sometimes forcing the person to change his lifestyle, while impairing the quality of life. Joint replacement surgeryJoint replacement surgeries are common and have a high success rate. During the surgery, the worn joint is replaced with artificial joint. This usually allows the patient to return to full functioning without pain, while improving the quality of life.Total hip replacement surgeryHip replacement surgery is a very common surgery. 3000 to 4000 surgeries of this type are performed in Israel each year. The main reason for the problem is usually erosion of the articular cartilage due to degenerative joint disease, which is very common in the elderly (“osteoarthritis”). The patients suffer from significant pain and movement restrictions, and are often referred to other medical treatments such as painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, injections around and into the joint, osteopathy, chiropractic and physical therapy.These treatments may improve the quality of life, but cannot core the cartilage and restore the joint to its previous condition. When these treatments do not help sufficiently, hip replacement surgery is the next options of choice. The hip joint carries most of the body weight and is built in the form of a mortar and a pestle. The mortar is a dent in the pelvic bone, and the pestle is the rounded head of the femur, and both are coated with a cartilage that allows for smooth, painless movement. For example, when walking or running, the ground impact forces are absorbed by this cartilage. When the cartilage surfaces are eroded or destroyed, friction is created between the bones in the hip area - leading to severe pain and limited movement, and surgery is required to replace them with artificial implants. The main cause of cartilage erosion is the natural wear occurring from the age of 50 and above. Other causes include injuries and diseases, such as osteoarthritis. The erosion changes often worsen with time and deform the structure of the joint, making movement more and more limited (limping and difficulty walking, standing, sitting standing up from a chair) and the pain becomes chronic and severe. Joint ReplacementHip replacement surgery is intended for patients suffering from erosion and destruction of the hip cartilage that causes pain, significant restriction of movement and impairment of daily functioning and quality of life.Prior to surgery, the patient is required to undergo several tests, such as: Blood tests, culture to exclude the presence of resistant bacteria, ECG and chest x-ray. The investigation was carried out in order to ensure that the patient’s health is satisfactory and allows performing the expected medical procedure. In the operation, the worn cartilage and hip bones attached to the abrasion areas are removed and replaced by an artificial hip joint made of ceramic materials, corals and titanium-based alloys. These substances are known to be friendly to the bones and tissues of the body and they contribute to a better grip in the bone, with the aim of allowing the patient to return to full activity, including physical activity, as early as possible and without restrictions. The surgery can be done in a posterior and lateral approach (in these approaches, the muscles are detached from the hip bone to gain access to the joint) or anterior approach (the joint approach is performed between the muscles) which usually contributes to faster recovery and rehabilitation. Usually at first, until a satisfactory range of motion is achieved, patients feel pain, numbness and stiffness in the hip area. However most of them begin to walk and move the leg soon after surgery - initially with the aid of a walker or crutches and gradually, usually within one to three months, they return to full activity. Most patients report significant pain relief and improved motion ranges, mobility, daily activities such as walking, going up and down stairs, and quality of life. The surgery is considered one of the most common surgeries in patients from the age of 60 and above, and its success rates are very high. Studies show that in more than 90% of cases the artificial joint lasts and functions well for 15-20 years or more. Over the years, the more load the joint bears, the more it is worn, however usually it can be replaced with a new joint. However, it is important to remember that a satisfactory range of motion in the hip depends not only on the artificial joint, but also on other variables such as the range of motion before the surgery, excess weight that may apply load the hip, and appropriate physiotherapy. Repeated hip replacementThe principles of repeated hip replacement are identical to the principles of initial replacement. The surgery is larger and longer, because first the existing implants should be removed before the new implants are placed. Often there is a bone loss in the pelvis and femur, and therefore a bone graft is required. The artificial joints for repeated surgery often have to be different and special models specifically developed for repeated replacement.Knee replacement surgeryA surgery intended to stop or reduce knee pain caused by knee cartilage erosion and improve motion range, mobility and quality of life. The knee joint consists of four bones (the thigh, the calf, the fibula and the patella) that are connected by muscles, ligaments and tendons, and its function is to allow movement and carry the weight of the body. It looks like two wheels that are positioned against a flat surface. Its structure is very unstable and therefore vulnerable to soft tissue injuries. The cartilage, which covers the bones of the knee joint, is one of the important components in it. Its function is to absorb shocks and facilitate the smooth movement of the joint. When the cartilage is damaged or eroded, the bones rub against each other in motion, leading to knee pain, limitation in movement and mobility. Other cartilage erosion symptoms are stiffness in the joint after rest, hypersensitivity to touch and pressure, deformation that causes it to look larger, creaks resulting from bone friction, and inflammation resulting in swelling, pain in touch and warmness.Joint ReplacementCartilage erosion can be caused by a variety of reasons, some of which are not always known; the most common cause is age - the joint carries all the body weight and this is one of the causes of cartilage erosion which gradually develops from the age of 50. The processes that contribute to this are, among other things, heredity, overweight, overload from prolonged physical work, and deformity of the joint axis caused, inter alia, by trauma.Knee replacement surgery is performed to patients suffering from extensive cartilage erosion that causes persistent knee pain and significant restriction of motion range, mobility and function, and when all conservative treatments such as physiotherapy, pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications have failed. During the surgery, the deformed joint is replaced by plastic and metal artificial surfaces by means of an incision over the knee for their placement. The purpose of the surgery is to stop the pains, to stabilize the joint and to improve the range of motion Studies show that in more than 90% of cases the artificial joint lasts and functions well for 15-20 years or more. Over the years, the more load the joint bears, the more it is worn, however usually it can be replaced with a new joint. Joint replacement surgery is intended for patients suffering from erosion and destruction of the joint cartilage that causes pain, significant restriction of movement and impairment of daily functioning and quality of life. Prior to surgery, the patient is required to undergo several tests, such as: Blood tests, culture to exclude the presence of resistant bacteria, ECG and chest x-ray. The investigation was carried out in order to ensure that the patient’s health is satisfactory and allows performing the expected medical procedure. In the operation, the worn cartilage and bones attached to the abrasion areas are removed and replaced by an artificial hip joint made of ceramic materials, corals and titanium-based alloys. These substances are known to be friendly to the bones and tissues of the body and they contribute to a better grip in the bone, with the aim of allowing the patient to return to full activity, including physical activity, as early as possible and without restrictions. The surgery can be done in a posterior and lateral approach (in these approaches, the muscles are detached from the hip bone to gain access to the joint) or anterior approach (the joint approach is performed between the muscles) which usually contributes to faster recovery and rehabilitation. Usually at first, until a satisfactory range of motion is achieved, patients feel pain, numbness and stiffness in the hip area. However most of them begin to walk and move the leg soon after surgery - initially with the aid of a walker or crutches and gradually, usually within one to three months, they return to full activity. Most patients report significant pain relief and improved motion ranges, mobility, daily activities such as walking, going up and down stairs, and quality of life. The surgery is considered one of the most common surgeries in patients from the age of 60 and above, and its success rates are very high. Studies show that in more than 90% of cases the artificial joint lasts and functions well for 15-20 years or more. Over the years, the more load the joint bears, the more it is worn, however usually it can be replaced with a new joint. However, it is important to remember that a satisfactory range of motion in the hip depends not only on the artificial joint, but also on other variables such as the range of motion before the surgery, excess weight that may apply load the hip, and appropriate physiotherapy. Repeated hip replacementThe principles of repeated hip replacement are identical to the principles of initial replacement. The surgery is larger and longer, because first the existing implants should be removed before the new implants are placed. Often there is a bone loss in the pelvis and femur, and therefore a bone graft is required. The artificial joints for repeated surgery often have to be different and special models specifically developed for repeated replacement.Cartilage erosion can be caused by a variety of reasons, some of which are not always known; the most common cause is age - the joint carries all the body weight and this is one of the causes of cartilage erosion which gradually develops from the age of 50. The processes that contribute to this are, among other things, heredity, overweight, overload from prolonged physical work, and deformity of the joint axis caused, inter alia, by trauma. Knee replacement surgery is performed to patients suffering from extensive cartilage erosion that causes persistent knee pain and significant restriction of motion range, mobility and function, and when all conservative treatments such as physiotherapy, pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications have failed. During the surgery, the deformed joint is replaced by plastic and metal artificial surfaces by means of an incision over the knee for their placement. The purpose of the surgery is to stop the pains, to stabilize the joint and to improve the range of motion Studies show that in more than 90% of cases the artificial joint lasts and functions well for 15-20 years or more. Over the years, the more load the joint bears, the more it is worn, however usually it can be replaced with a new joint. |
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