CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - LiveWell

While there are no absolute criteria for joint replacement eligibility, you may be a good fit for surgery if you have arthritic joint pain and stiffness that limits daily activities. Joint replacement is considered a last resort for people who have failed to improve with conservative treatment methods such as exercise, pain medications, corticosteroid injections, walking aides and physical therapy. You may be eligible for surgery if your arthritis has caused a noticeable deformity in your leg or an abnormal walking gait. Age is also a factor. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the majority of patients who undergo joint replacement surgery are between ages 50 and 80. However, replacement surgery has been performed on people in their 20s and 30s and is becoming increasingly commonplace due to surgical advances and longer-lasting prostheses. If you think you may be a good candidate, schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon can evaluate you and perform X-rays to assess the amount of bone or cartilage decay in your joint. BETWEEN THE BONES Depending on the extent and location of damage, the orthopedic surgeon may recommend either a total or unicompartmental (partial) joint replacement. The knee joint is made up three differ- ent areas or compartments: lateral (outside), medial (inside) and patellofemoral (front). If decay is limited to one compartment, the surgeon will replace only the affected part of the joint with metal and plastic. Hip joints have a ball-and-socket anatomy consisting of the femur, the femoral head (the rounded top of the femur acting as the "ball") and the pelvis. Part of the pelvis, known as the acetabulum, is shaped like a socket and sits around the femoral head. An artificial hip joint has three pieces: a stem that fits into the femur, a ball that replaces the femoral head, and a cup that covers the surface of the acetabulum. In some devices, the stem and ball are designed as a single part. The goal of both knee and hip replacement surgery is to eliminate contact between two bones caused by cartilage decay or bone spurs. The artificial implants mimic the natural movement of the joint while replacing the bone-on-bone surfaces of the joint — effectively eliminating pain. Joint Replacement 101 If you're considering a knee or hip replacement, you need to know about these advances and age-related factors. "Joint replacement has come a long way. Once reserved for elderly, sedentary people, replacement surgery is now an option for younger patients thanks to innovations in surgical technique and artificial joint design. Today's durable implants allow patients to enjoy active lives for 20 or more years with- out any issues." —Todd Clarke, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon at CHRISTUS Spine and Orthopedic Specialty Center – St. Elizabeth Attend one of our free joint pain "Good News for Bad Knees and Hips" seminars. Visit www.christushospital.org and click "Knee/Hip Replacement" for more details and to register for the class. 6

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