Joint replacement is the best alternative to solve joint degenerative processes represented through degenerative osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis. This procedure consists of replacing the structures that have deteriorated in the joint, including cartilage and bone parts, with implants made of different materials that fulfill the same function, the most used being metal and plastic, says Dr. Julio César Palacio. , orthopedic specialist in joint replacements and sports medicine at the Medical Center.
What are joints? They are the hinges of our body. They produce all the arcs of movement of the human skeleton. In the joint space (space between two bones), there is cartilage, which is a structure more elastic than bone, whitish and whose basic function is to cushion the trauma that is received, in addition to allowing smooth movement between the bones. that make it up Joint mobility is given by muscle contraction, and joint stability is given by muscles, ligaments and the joint capsule. The synovial fluid is in charge of keeping the joints lubricated, the specialist clarifies.
Degenerative osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis is the process in which there is a loss or degenerative damage of cartilage and subchondral bone. The predominant, most sensitive and relevant symptom of this pathology and that leads to the decision to perform a joint replacement is pain. Other manifestations (symptoms) that occur as a result of osteoarthritis are: progressive loss of joint mobility, difficulty and/or limitation in walking, going up and down stairs, sitting and standing, progressive limb deformity. In the advanced stages of deterioration, you can even feel pain at rest. All of the above leads to a progressive deterioration of quality of life.
The vast majority of patients who have undergone joint replacement, for whatever reason, report a dramatic improvement in their quality of life postoperatively, since said surgery manages to provide them with a life with less, or without pain, a improvement in mobility and, in many cases, returns to the patient’s independence. The useful life of a joint replacement on average, today, is around 15 to 20 years; this based on a person who performs normal daily activities and if there are no complications that compromise its duration.
Below are the most frequently asked questions from patients related to hip and knee replacement surgery.
- How long does a joint replacement last? On average it lasts about 15 years. The duration is directly related to physical activity. The more activity, the less duration.
- Can you exercise after a replacement? For sure. There is no limitation to do any physical activity, but it is important to remember that the duration is directly proportional to the intensity of that physical activity. Therefore, physical activities with low impact on the joints are recommended, such as: cycling with a moderate or low load, elliptical, swimming, walking, hiking, yoga, Pilates, water aerobics or rowing.
- What is spent, the metal? No, the metal does not wear out. What is spent is the plastic (high density polyethylene) that exists between the two metals. This plastic has a useful life that, in addition to physical activity, is influenced by other factors, such as the type of material, its quality, etc. The plastics used for these implants are better and more resistant to wear every day, which has made their useful life longer.
- They say implants loosen after hip and/or knee replacement, is this true? After performing a joint replacement, due to wear and tear of the implants, what we know as particles are generated. of wear, which are particles of the materials used for joint replacement: plastic (polyethylene), ceramic, or metal. These particles are seen by our organism as “foreign bodies” since they do not recognize them as their own. This causes our immune system to attack them, trying to eliminate them, but in that process, that same immune response has an effect on the interfaces (the joints) between the implant and the bone, which can cause it to loosen.
- What happens or what should be done when they wear out and/or loosen? Loose and/or worn components are replaced by new ones. This procedure is called a “revision joint replacement.”