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Frequently Asked Questions- Conditions & Procedures

What is a hip replacement?

A hip replacement involves a surgical procedure to replace part or all of a diseased or damaged hip
joint with an artificial substitute—a prosthetic hip joint. The operation to replace or mend a joint is known
as 'arthroplasty'. The aim of a hip replacement is to alleviate pain and restore function in the hip joint.

When is a hip replacement necessary?

A hip replacement may become necessary to prevent pain and increase mobility if your hip joint is damaged
as a result of disease or injury.

How is my new hip different?

You may feel some numbness in the skin around your incision. You also may feel some stiffness, particularly
with excessive bending. These differences often diminish with time and most patients find these are minor compared to the pain and limited function they experienced prior to surgery.

Your new hip may activate metal detectors required for security in airports and some buildings. Tell the
security agent about your hip replacement if the alarm is activated.

How long will a Total Hip Replacement last? 

The average expectancy ranges from 15-20 years depending upon the activity level of the patient.

What causes arthritis in the knee?

Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease - the most common type of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is also known as “wear and tear arthritis” since the cartilage simply wears out. When
cartilage wears away, bone rubs on bone causing severe pain and disability. The most frequent reason
for osteoarthritis is genetic, since the durability of each individual's cartilage is based on genetics.

Trauma - can also lead to osteoarthritis. A bad fall or blow to the knee can injure the joint. If the injury does
not heal properly, extra force may be placed on the joint, which over time can cause the cartilage to wear away.

Inflammatory Arthritis - swelling and heat (inflammation) of the joint lining causes a release of enzymes
which soften and eventually destroy the cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and psoriatic arthritis are
inflammatory in nature.

What is the difference between total knee replacement and unicompartmental knee replacement?

Knee replacement is replacing the ends of the joint that have been diseased by degeneration or trauma
with an artificial prostheses. Unicompartmental knee replacement is replacing only one side, usually the
inner side of a joint that is worn.

What is revision knee surgery? how is it different to the knee replacement?

Revision surgery is different in that the original components are removed and new components
are implanted. The technical aspects of the surgery are more complex than the original total knee
replacement. However, the preparation for surgery and hospital experience tend to be very similar to
the primary knee replacement.

What happens if my knee gets infected?

If a knee is infected the patient is first given antibiotics. If the infection does not clear up, the implant will
have to be taken out and the patient is scheduled for revision surgery. The original components are removed
and a block of polyethylene cement treated with antibiotics (known as a “spacer block”) is inserted into the
knee joint for six weeks. During this time the patient is also treated with intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics. After a
minimum of six weeks, new knee components are implanted.

How is my new knee different?

You may feel some numbness in the skin around your incision. You also may feel some stiffness, particularly
with excessive bending activities. Improvement of knee motion is a goal of total knee replacement, but
restoration of full motion is uncommon. The motion of your knee replacement after surgery is predicted by
the motion of your knee prior to surgery. Most patients can expect to nearly fully straighten the replaced knee
and to bend the knee sufficiently to go up and down stairs and get in and out of a car. Kneeling is usually uncomfortable, but it is not harmful. Occasionally, you may feel some soft clicking of the metal and plastic with
knee bending or walking. These differences often diminish with time and most patients find these are minor, compared to the pain and limited function they experienced prior to surgery.

Your new knee may activate metal detectors required for security in airports and some buildings. Tell the
security agent about your knee replacement if the alarm is activated. Find out more from your doctor on
Special precautions and special exercise programs.