Joint Replacement
You can also visit our online library for more information on Joint Replacement.
What is Samaritan Joint Replacement?
Many people have honored us with the privilege of performing their joint replacement at Samaritan Hospital. In fact, in 2009, Samaritan Hospital performed more joint replacements than any other local health care organization. To be exact, 523 joint replacements were done, including 390 total knee replacements and 103 total hip replacements, with other joint replacements accounting for the remaining 30.
Realizing patients must seriously consider all options before undergoing this major surgery Samaritan Regional Health System launched “Samaritan Joint Replacement.” It’s an educational initiative set forth to provide people with the information they need to make informed decisions. Click here to learn more about the actual joint replacement experience. To view before and after survey results of our joint replacement patients, click here.
All about the Joints…
Of the some 206 bones in our bodies, the joints – most notably our knees, hips and shoulders – see the most action. They are our body’s ultimate shock absorbers, cushioned by cartilage and supported by muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Over time, the stress of everyday activity causes these important supporting structures to wear down, placing additional burden on the joints. Aging, injury, obesity and repetitive motion also contribute to the process. Click here to learn more about simple steps you can take to prevent joint pain.
Osteoarthritis, also referred to as OA, is the most common joint disorder. It is a disease that causes the cartilage between the bone joints to wear away. The painful result, as the cartilage disappears, leads to bone rubbing on bone, with bony spurs possibly forming around the joint.
While the exact cause of OA is unknown, it is directly related to aging, but metabolic and genetic factors can also contribute to OA. Symptoms generally appear in middle age and almost everyone has symptoms by the age of 70. While the disease seems to strike both men and women proportionately before the age of 55, it appears more women are affected by the disease than men after the age of 55.
Although some people have no symptoms of OA, others experience the following:
• Pain that worsens after exercise or bearing weight, but is relieved by rest
• Pain that worsens upon engaging in activities after a period of inactivity
• Pain that is present and persistent even at rest
• Grating of the joint caused by motion
• Increased joint pain during humid or moist weather
• Swelling of the joint
• Limited movement
• Muscular weakness surrounding the painful joint
Other causes of joint pain include autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus, where the body’s immune system attacks itself. Septic arthritis, which is a bacterial infection that spreads to the joints, also causes joint pain, as do injuries such as strains, sprains and fractures. In tendonitis, the tendons become inflamed, irritated and swollen, either from an injury, overuse, or aging from loss of tendon elasticity. Bursitis, yet another cause of joint pain, refers to the inflammation of the fluid-filled sac located between the tendon and the skin that reduces friction between moving parts.
Treatment Options…
There are many treatment options available for joint pain, and your physician will determine what is best for you based on your diagnosis. Your primary care provider may even refer you to a specialist, such as an orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatologist. The treatment goal will be to reduce symptoms; increase joint movement; and lesson joint-damaging effects.
For the temporary relief of symptoms, some people find heat and cold therapy helpful, especially when used before or after exercise. Medications to relieve pain and relax muscles also are available, some are available over-the-counter and others are by prescription only. Your physician may also suggest anti-inflammatory medications. There are over-the-counter creams, rubs and sprays that are applied topically to temporarily relieve sore muscles and joints.
Cortisone injections, therapy, massages, and acupuncture provide even more options for the temporary relief of pain. Of course, these are all first-line treatment methods, meaning these options are pursued before turning to more aggressive options, such as a surgical procedure.
Joint replacements are one such surgical procedure. While joint replacements can give you a new lease on life, it is a major procedure and you, your family and your physician must seriously consider this option before making a final decision.
Your physician will broach the possibility of a joint replacement if you are: in severe pain that has not been relieved by other treatment methods; your ability to perform everyday functions is dramatically impaired; and/or you have marked joint instability that puts you at risk for additional problems.
Consider the following statistics of patients who have made the life-changing decision to pursue a joint replacement at Samaritan Regional Health System:
• Ninety seven percent experienced significant or total improvement in their usual activities as a result of their new joint, and
• Half of these patients reported a total elimination of pain thanks to their procedure.
To see if you or a loved one would benefit from a joint replacement, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your situation and treatment options. He or she may refer you to a specialist, an orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatologist, for further opinions.
