Medical advancements have been a boon to humankind. Development in prosthetics is one such medical advancement. For people with Joint problems, life could no longer be enjoyed. With the development of prosthetics, many people could walk again, under take activities instead of being lonely, commuting by wheel chair and so on.
- When is joint replacement required?
When a person experiences discomfort in joints like pain and disability, a surgery for joint replacement is required. - Post-surgery effects:
Joint replacement surgery helps people lead a normal life without the fear of wheel chair or being dependent on any one. However with every surgery risks and benefits follow. Following is the list of the painful disadvantage of prosthesis. - Loosening: Loosening of prosthetics or infection of the area are two major drawbacks of the prosthetics joint replacement. The prosthetics are aligned in line with the bone with cement or placed in such a manner that the bones grows on the surface. The metallic body is however a foreign body and does not associate much with the original bone. The prosthetics place stress on the bones differently. The prosthetics are supposed to take stress due to activity and distribute it to the original bone. However, prosthetics being a foreign body does not act accordingly causing bone loss. In the event of loosening, the prosthesis needs to be surgically removed and replaced with the new one. During such times, the original bone has already diminished and the new implant has to be longer that the earlier one so that it can reach the bone. The new prosthesis for example, for the hip may have a life expectancy of 5-6 years. It will be removed again. Then a new and longer prosthesis is inserted. Eventually in some years the original bone diminishes completely. Bone grafting is next considered.
- Infection: The prosthetic placed in the body also becomes an attractive ground for bacteria to grow. The blood supply is altered during the surgery and hence lacks the resistance to fight the infection off. In turn the infection leads to loosening of the prosthesis. With the infection, the prosthesis needs to be removed. The infection needs to be treated before inserting a new one. In some time, the bacteria starts resisting the anti-bodies and thereby causing further problem. In short, the risk of infections lasts till the prosthetic remains. Redness, swelling and constant pain may be experience if the prosthetic is infected. Infections may occur within the time of recovery, i.e. within 1 or 2 months.
