Can Joint Mobility Be Restored?
Joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty is a surgical procedure designed to replace damaged, worn-out, or diseased joints with artificial implants. Most large joints like the hip, knee, and shoulder can be replaced. The function of a new metal or plastic joint is to simulate the original joint in mobility and range of motion. A joint can have a full replacement, a total arthroplasty, or parts of the joint replacement, a partial arthroplasty. Surgery is typically considered a final solution after conservative nonsurgical treatment modalities like pain medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications have failed. Arthroplasties are a common orthopedic procedure. Annual statistics reveal about 790,000 total knee replacements and 544,000 hip replacements are performed in the US. These appliances can last 20 years to a lifetime.
Do you need a joint replacement?
Joint replacement surgery is typically recommended for individuals who have exhausted other treatment options and continue to experience significant pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and disability. Common indications for joint replacement surgery include osteoarthritis, where joint cartilage is broken down from overuse, injury, genetics, age, and obesity. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that destroys joints symmetrically throughout the body, like the hands, knees, and ankles. Post-traumatic arthritis from sports injuries, car accidents, or falls also contributes.
Surgical options vary
Joint replacement surgical procedures vary by joint and surgeon preference and experience. Most joint replacement surgeries will require a specialized CT scan enabling 3D image joint reconstruction for surgical planning. Conventional techniques are open procedures utilizing a larger incision to access the joint and replace the damaged portions with manual measurements and placement. Larger incisions often translate into more pain and a longer time to recover. Robotic arm-assisted joint replacement lacks large incisions, utilizing precise millimeter cuts, and leverages advanced robotic technology to take exact measurements and place implants. Here are some added benefits.
1. Less pain, faster healing
Traditional nonrobotic-assisted surgeries require more invasive incisions, adding to the pain and postoperative healing. Minimally invasive robotic-arm-assisted surgeries offer precision and individualized surgical planning capabilities based on a patient’s unique anatomy. This leads to smaller incisions, causing less trauma less pain, and optimizes recovery times.
2. Better infection rates and shorter hospital stays
Any surgical procedure is at risk for a surgical site infection (SSI), which is associated with poor outcomes and higher rates of complications. Conventional joint replacement infection rates stand around 1%. A meta-analysis of robotic-assisted knee replacement patients revealed slightly lower SSI rates, occurring in only 0.568% of cases. A retrospective study of total hip arthroplasty patients demonstrated that robotic-assisted surgery patients averaged less hospital length of stay (LOS) and required less home healthcare or skilled nursing.
Discover joint replacement innovation
Joint damage occurs from a variety of medical conditions that can lead to a need for replacement when conservative treatment approaches fall short. Joint replacement is considered a safe and effective procedure, but technology has evolved, providing some superior advantages over traditional methods. Robotic arm-assisted surgery offers less pain, smaller incisions, quicker recovery, and lower LOS and infection rates. An orthopedic surgeon can discuss options and pros and cons to make the best choice.
