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ARTHRITIS
FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA SURGERY FOR ARTHRITIS Arthritis can affect many joints in more than one area of the body. Fortunately, most people may never need surgery in these areas. But for others, surgery may be a consideration. Surgery is a most effective means of treatment. It is generally indicated when other medications and therapies are unsuccessful. The aims of surgery are to:
The sooner the surgery is performed - that is, the less damage there is - the better the results will be. It's not so much a question of time as of damage. In addition, as the disease progresses, surgery intended to preserve normal function becomes far more limited in what it can achieve. Possible long-term damage to a joint can be avoided with surgery, e.g.. a diseased synovium (the lining of the joint), may not affect the wrist joint now, but may damage it in months or years to come. Joint replacement surgery has an excellent success rate, with a low incidence of postoperative complications. Providing the follow-up procedures are complied with, marked improvement in all areas of comfort, motion and appearance will occur. Questions to ask your surgeon or doctor.Listed below are questions that will be important for you to have the answers to you will better understand what is involved in joint replacement surgery, and how it will affect you. Most people find it difficult to remember all the questions that they want to ask their doctor or surgeon. It would be a good idea for you to write down the points you want to cover. Ask your doctor to draw diagrams for you, write things down and give you any information brochures he or she may have when answering your questions. That way, you will remember the answers. General PointsThink about asking the doctor:
RisksEvery operation has risks. Fortunately, in joint replacement surgery, less than 5 people in 101 have an operation that fails or has problems. Sometimes wounds can become infected, or a new joint can pop out of place (dislocation). It is essential that you talk to your doctor about this. Think about asking the doctor:
After the operationThe operation itself is only part of the story. Afterwards you will require some physiotherapy, to get the new joint working correctly again. You also need to be taught what you can do with your new joint. This will take some time. Once again, think about asking your doctor:
FURTHER INFORMATIONDepending on the type of joint replacement surgery you are thinking about, or have decided to go ahead with, you have a number of options.
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