Everything You Need to Know About Total Joint Replacement in Spring Hill & Brooksville
A total joint replacement is a procedure for fixing a damaged, dysfunctional or arthritic joint. This surgery takes out the damaged joint, which will be replaced with a prosthesis. The artificial joint may be made from plastic, metal, or ceramic material.
The body’s joints are designed to connect two bones. They play crucial roles in the body’s stability, flexibility, and movement. There are several joints in the human body. The most commonly in need of total replacement, however, are the joints in the knees, the hips, and shoulders.
Who Needs Total Joint Replacement Surgery
In any musculoskeletal medical issue, surgery is usually the last line of treatment when all other conservative methods have been exhausted and there’s still no improvement. This is usually followed by strict pharmacologic intervention and physical therapy. The patient may need to undergo a total joint replacement surgery, also called arthroplasty, if:
- There’s too much pain due to chronic inflammation or swelling, which no longer improves with medication
- The joint is deformed
- Movement is limited and everyday activities like walking or climbing the stairs are getting increasingly difficult
- There’s still pain even if the patient is resting
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, most total joint replacement surgeries are done on patients between 50 to 80 years old. The procedure is generally safe even for an elderly person with a degenerative disease.
To find out if a total joint replacement procedure is right for you, schedule an appointment with our skilled orthopedic specialist who serves patients from Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Hudson, Homosassa, and surrounding areas.
Prevalence of Total Joint Replacement Surgery
Joints are integral to the skeletal system so that it can function as a whole. Some joints can self-lubricate and withstand compression, as well as deliver precise and smooth movements.
But the joint is also vulnerable to certain conditions, which may lead to joint pain and eventual disability. Women are more at risk for hip or knee joint replacements than men as they are also at higher risk for suffering arthritis, according to experts at Pennsylvania Hospital.
Some 182 per 100,000 in the worldwide population have had hip replacement surgery while 135 per 100,000 have had knee replacement surgery, per a study published in OECD Health. The number of total joint replacement surgeries rapidly increased by 30 to 40 percent between 2007 to 2017.
Types of Total Joint Replacement
The most common types of joint replacement procedures occur in three areas of the body: knees, hip, and shoulders.
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Total knee replacement
The knee is actually the largest joint in the body. If it’s compromised due to trauma, injury or a medical condition, bad knees can significantly impact a person’s ability to walk. During the surgery, our knee replacement doctor in Brooksville will take out the damaged cartilage found at the end of the tibia and femur. This will be replaced by an artificial component, while a spacer will also be inserted in between to smoothen the artificial joint’s glide.
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Total hip replacement
The hip has a ball and socket joint covered by the articular cartilage that could wear down due to an injury or a condition like arthritis. During the surgery, our hip replacement specialist in Brooksville will remove and replace the damaged ball and socket with a prosthesis. As with the knee replacement procedure, a spacer will also be inserted to help with smoother movements.
Traditional vs. minimally invasive hip replacement surgery
Also known as hip arthroplasty, total hip replacement surgery is often indicated for patients who have damaged hip joints. The damage may be caused by acute trauma or chronic musculoskeletal diseases such as:
- Osteoarthritis – the most common type of arthritis wherein the cartilage between joints breaks down over time.
- Osteonecrosis – the death of bones caused by a lack of blood supply.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – the immune system attacks the lining of the joints by mistake.
- Bone tumor – The majority of bone tumors are benign, which means that they are non-cancerous and do not spread to other body parts, but they can still weaken the bones. They frequently develop in the hips, ribs, legs, and upper arm.
This surgical procedure has two types. The first one is the traditional method, and the other one is the minimally invasive method. Both procedures require excellent surgical skills and experience to achieve good outcomes.
Traditional hip replacement surgery
This is the most commonly performed hip replacement, wherein the orthopedic surgeon makes a 10- to 12-inch incision on the side of the hip. Because of the long incision, the surgeon has a clear view of the hip joint.
PROS: The pros of the traditional approach include:
- The use of reliable surgical techniques that proved to be effective time and again.
- A clearer and better view of the problem area, which helps the surgeon make a precise fit and alignment of the prosthesis
- Lesser chance of alignment-related post-surgical complications
CONS: The cons of the traditional approach are attributed to its longer incision, and they include:
- More damage to the muscles and tissues surrounding the hip
- A longer recovery time because more structures are cut during the surgery
- A bigger scar
Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery
The steps involved in this type of hip replacement are essentially the same as the traditional, except for the incision size.
At Tarabishy Orthopedics, the surgeon who will conduct the minimally invasive hip replacement in Brooksville is Dr. Tarabishy himself. Depending on your specific condition, he may choose to create one or two small incisions.
- Single incision. The surgeon creates one small incision measuring 3 to 6 inches on the outside of the hip. The length largely depends on the difficulty of the surgery and the size of the patient.
- Two incisions. The surgeon creates two small incisions. The first one, over the groin, measures 2-3 inches and will be used to place the socket. The second one, over the buttock, measures 1-2 inches and will be used to place the femoral stem. This surgery may be an X-ray guided procedure to give the surgeon a better view of the problem area and achieve a better fit and alignment.
PROS: This hip replacement technique results in:
- Smaller scars, because of the smaller incisions
- Minimal damage to the soft tissues surrounding the hip
- Lesser blood loss
- Faster and less painful recovery
CONS: This technique raises the following concerns:
- It’s more challenging to perform because the surgeon has a limited view of the joint.
- During surgery, some stretching and tearing of the skin may occur.
Who qualifies for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery in Brooksville/Spring Hill?
Unfortunately, this type of surgery is not recommended for everyone. The best candidates are those who are:
- Young
- Within normal weight
- Not suffering from bone or joint deformities
- Not suffering from osteoporosis
- Not suffering from a disease that may slow wound healing
Patients who have undergone previous hip surgeries are also less ideal to undergo this surgical procedure.
At Tarabishy Orthopedics, our patients undergo comprehensive tests and assessments before undergoing surgery. These evaluations are essential in order to ensure that they are good surgical candidates.
If you think you might benefit from hip surgery, including a minimally invasive hip replacement in Brooksville, don’t hesitate to contact us or book an appointment so we can assist you better. We offer our services to patients from Hernando County, including Spring Hill,
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Total shoulder replacement
The shoulder also has a ball and socket joint and the surgical procedure is similar to a hip replacement surgery.
Total joint replacement surgery can strengthen and stabilize the patient’s body. It may also eliminate pain and improve mobility. In turn, it can improve the patient’s quality of life.
If you or someone you know is considering a joint replacement, wait no longer! Make an appointment with Dr. Tarabishy and find out more about a knee or hip replacement in Brooksville.
What to do Before, During, and After the Surgery
Patients must aim to be in better shape before the surgery. Doing light exercises regularly can facilitate a quick recovery as the body will be in better shape to handle the trauma of the operation.
Since the patient will need crutches and walkers, it might also help to learn to use them before going under the knife. If possible, patients may enlist the help of a physical therapist earlier to help with the preparations. The physical therapist is also an important part of the patient’s postoperative rehabilitation.
Patients with habits like smoking or drinking alcohol are strongly encouraged to stop, as tobacco products and alcohol can slow down the healing of surgical wounds.
After surgery, patients must follow doctor’s orders when it comes to taking medication, exercises and physical therapy. A follow-up check-up must also be done a week after the surgery.
After full recovery from total joint replacement surgery, patients must take proper care of their new joints. Since replacement joints are artificial, they may also be prone to wearing out, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Our Knee replacement specialist and hip replacement doctor in Brooksville would discuss ways to take care of your prostheses. They would also gladly answer any question you might have regarding your options, risks, and expectations before proceeding with the surgery.
Seek the help of our knee and hip replacement doctors in Brooksville, Spring Hill & Surrounding Areas.
Patients who are in need of a trusted knee and hip replacement specialist can always visit our orthopedic clinic in Brooksville. Our clinic remains open, and our Team is ready to serve patients who are searching for orthopedic services in the Spring Hill, Brooksville, and Weeki Wachee areas. With years of experience and training under our belt, we are committed to providing our patients with the best services. We will guide you through the assessment, surgery, and rehabilitation process, so you are assured of a full recovery.
When it comes to orthopedic specialists, it’s essential to find a highly-qualified and experienced doctor who provides world-class orthopedic care and meets your specific needs. You will find all of it in our clinic. We are located in Brooksville, FL – a convenient 7 miles distance from Spring Hill and only a 2,5 miles distance from Weeki Wachee.
We offer innovative orthopedic services for patients from Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Hudson, Crystal River, Homosassa, and other nearby towns.
Visit our Orthopedic clinic or contact us today if you have any questions. To learn what options best suit your medical needs, feel free to book an appointment.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
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