Bone & Joint Injuries

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• QWhat is direct anterior muscle-sparing total hip replacement?

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  A Fawcett Memorial Hospital answered

  Direct anterior muscle-sparing total hip replacement allows the surgeon to reach the hip joint from the front of the hip as opposed to the lateral (side) or the posterior (back). This way, the hip can be replaced without detaching the muscle from the pelvis or femur during surgery. The most important muscles for hip function, the gluteal muscles that attach to the pelvis and femur, are left undisturbed and therefore do not require a healing process. Direct anterior muscle-sparing total hip replacement offers a more beneficial alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery.

• QCan I be active after joint replacement surgery?

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  A St Francis Medical Center answered

  There is no reason why you can't be active after joint replacement surgery. There are certain exercises that you might be advised to refrain from if you've had a hip or a knee replacement. These include jogging or training for a marathon, which could end up wearing out your prosthesis quicker. Contact sports such as football or soccer are not advised if you have had either a hip or knee replaced. Playing with your children or grandchildren, golfing, skiing, and participating in low-impact and noncontact sports are encouraged.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.

• QIs it easier to replace a knee or a hip?

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  A St Francis Medical Center answered

  Some surgeons prefer doing hip replacements, whereas some prefer the mechanics of a knee replacement. From a patient's persepective, hip replacements are much easier to recover from as there is less pain, dysfunction and work.

  Knee replacements are different. It takes a great deal of work on the part of the patient and, quite often, physical therapy to get range of motion back.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.

• QWhat should I consider if I am young and need joint replacement surgery?

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  A TriStar Centennial Medical Center answered

  If you are young and need a joint replacement, you’ll want to consider two main things:

  • how long the implant will last
  • how it will affect your quality of life

  We try to delay a surgery as long as possible, given that joint replacements don’t last forever. The plastic, or polyethylene, material in an implant can wear out over time. This occurs faster in younger, more active patients. A joint replacement is generally quoted as being able to last about 15-20 years. Sometimes it is longer; sometimes it is shorter. With the improvement in the quality and strength of materials, we are hoping that they will last 30 or more years in the future. However, for those in their 40s or even 50s, there is a high probability that they will need a repeat joint replacement surgery at some point in their lives. General risks of a complications, such as loosening, instability or infection, would require surgery much sooner. With this in mind, it is important for you to understand and balance the risks and benefits of joint replacement at a younger age. If you have exhausted all nonoperative options and are unhappy with your quality of life, you might choose to have a joint replacement during your more active years. 

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• QHow can I prevent joint replacement surgery?

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  A St Francis Medical Center answered

  If you have an arthritic knee, you should modify your activities accordingly by avoiding high-impact exercise and training. It is really important to exercise on a regular basis, provided that it's not too painful. In general this will help the arthritic joint to feel and function better and to last longer.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.

• QWhat are the different types of orthopedic specialists?

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  A Memorial Hospital of Tampa answered

  Orthopedic specialists include joint surgeons, trauma surgeons, and sports medicine specialists.

• QWhat are the most common orthopedic injuries from car accidents?

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  A Regional Medical Center answered

  Fractures of the femur and pelvis are the most common orthopedic injuries from car accidents.

• QWhat kind of rehab can I expect after a rotator cuff repair?

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  A Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point answered

  After rotator cuff surgery, patients typically get 12 weeks of physical therapy, first to retain a range of motion, followed by strengthening exercises.

• QWhat causes frequent joint dislocations?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Your risk for dislocations is increased if you play sports. Falling and being involved in a car accident also puts you at risk for dislocations.

  Young children whose bones are still growing are least likely to suffer from dislocations. They are more likely to break a bone than to experience a dislocation.

• QWhat are dislocations?

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  A Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point answered

  Dislocations are typically caused by traumatic injuries and can happen in the shoulder, hip, knee or ankle joints.

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