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You've been suffering with joint destruction or
deformity for years. Alternative therapies such as
anti-inflammatory drugs or supplements just aren't working
anymore. While the idea of total joint replacement sounds, well
total, it could be an opportunity to get rid of the pain and
regain the lifestyle you once had.
Relieving pain as the goal
"The goal of total joint
replacement is to relieve the pain in the joint caused by the
damaged cartilage," said Kristaps Keggi, M.D., of the Orthopaedic
Center at Waterbury Hospital and Clinical Professor of
Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation at the Yale University School of
Medicine.
The Waterbury Hospital Service performs more than
600 elective hip and knee replacements and revisions each year,
earning it the distinction of one of the busiest orthopaedic
centers in New England. Dr. Keggi's own career spans some 30
years, during which time he has pioneered a number of joint
replacement techniques, including an early model of a ceramic hip
in the 1980s. Ceramic is considered more durable for younger,
active patients.
Choices for care
"Dr. Keggi and I are now using a
new generation of ceramic hips that incorporate the latest
technology of cup-and-stem design—materials and surfaces that
lengthen the life of a hip replacement," added John Keggi, M.D.,
of the Orthopaedic Center and Clinical Instructor of Orthopaedics
Rehabilitation at the Yale University School of Medicine. (Yes,
they are related. John Keggi is Kristaps Keggi's nephew.)
Just like the joint you were born with
Joint replacement surgery is
successful in more than 98 percent of the cases. Potential
complications include infection or blood clot, but most are
treated successfully, noted John Keggi.
Joint replacement for knees
Joint replacement for knees is
also a burgeoning area of orthopaedics, and one that's meeting the
needs of a younger crowd. For example, in the unicondylar
procedure only part of the knee that is worn out is replaced.
Should total knee replacement be warranted, a new alloy, oxidized
zirconium, is offering younger patients the strongest prosthetic
knee available to date. Both the partial knee, and the total knee
using oxidized zirconium, are available at the Waterbury Hospital
Center.
Who needs total joint replacement?
About 70 percent of patients who
get hip and knee replacements are over age 65. In addition to
osteoarthritis, which causes cartilage to deteriorate, sports
related injuries and falls also create the need for surgery. It is
up to you to decide when the pain becomes too much to handle. Some
signs to watch for include:
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night pain
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constant fatigue
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decreasing range of motion
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pain while walking short distances
-
back pain
-
limited social life
To find out more about joint replacement surgery,
contact your primary care physician. Or you may call
Orthopaedic Services at Waterbury Hospital directly at
203-573-7635. |
