You cannot get a simple answer to this question. There are a lot of things that go into making a replacement surgery successful.
All the contributory factors that make sure you get the best results after a joint replacement are discussed below.
In the end, you get to know how you can get the best outcome of a knee or hip replacement in India!
Overview of knee and hip replacement surgery
The knee is a very complicated part as it is the biggest joint in the entire body. It involves ligaments, tendons, muscles, veins, bones, nerves and cartilage in its making. However, the cartilage part that provides for the smooth movement wears down with time causing bones involved in the joint to rub against each other.
When this happens, it becomes extremely difficult for your joints like knees to produce a natural fluid for the lubrication. These changes are irreversible and because of that, you have to go through the pain while walking, running or doing anything involving your knee joint.
The two bones at the knee joint have some distance or gap between each other by a thick and soft tissue called cartilage. Degeneration disease like OA or Osteoarthritis can damage the cartilage. Here, to treat this condition best, a replacement is recommended where the damaged parts are removed and a new artificial joint is created.
The same is the case with your hip joint which can be damaged by Osteoarthritis of the hip or other reasons. Here, a total hip replacement is the solution.
If you are looking for knee replacement surgery in Delhi, the first thing you have got to make sure of is as follows: ensure that you always receive your treatment from the most competent and experienced specialist.
Factors contributing to success
Whether your replacement surgery is successful or not depends on a lot of factors. There is no one such thing that can ensure that the procedure yields the most promising results you would like to have.
The conditions discussed below influence the rate of success.
Expertise of surgeons: If a specialist who is going to perform arthroplasty (a replacement) on your affected joint hasn’t got any experience in the field, would you like him to operate you surgically? Absolutely not, this is because expertise and extensive experience altogether is the sign of competence and dexterity.
Technological advancements: State-of-the-art medical facilities impact the success factor a lot as with advanced methods of replacements there are always higher chances of getting the best results.
Quality of implants: If your surgeon uses inappropriate artificial parts (or prostheses) for the recreation of the surface of a removed joint, you cannot expect yourself to have a normal recovery.
Preoperative care: Suppose you suffer from several diseases that aren’t detected before you are surgically operated for a hip or knee replacement. Furthermore, let’s say your medical history isn’t assessed properly. Besides, a doctor might also fail to diagnose your conditions best.
All these factors also contribute to the failure of the joint replacement surgery.
Postoperative rehabilitation: If after a replacement you aren’t provided with the needed attention and care, you won’t be able to recover fast and regain the full range of mobility. If that happens, you cannot say it is successful.
Costs: If you go for cheap replacements, you might end up with poor medical care and facilities along with the insertion of inferior artificial parts. It will ruin your joints. It doesn’t matter if you have to spend a little extra money when it ensures an excellent treatment.
Quality healthcare facilities: If you get your joints replaced from an ill-maintained medical institution, the success ratio won’t be that promising.
Challenges
Now, let’s delve into what can complicate a replacement surgery, taking it away from the word successful.
When all of the following intricacies are handled effectively by an experienced surgeon, your hip or knee will be replaced effectively without any trouble.
Surgical risks: All surgical procedures in the medical field hold their own complications. It is not that they only happen to particular human beings. They can happen to anyone. Any person going through surgery might experience infection, blood clots, anesthesia problems, and nerve damage afterwards.
Recovery time: A replacement involves incising your skin over the concerned joint all through and then removing the damaged parts of the joint. Thus, when this much has been done, obviously, it will take you some time before it comes back to normal.
If, during the recovery period, enough attention isn’t given, it might get worse.
Implant wear and tear: Another typical problem of replacements is this. Prosthesis or artificial components that are used for resurfacing your damaged joint also acquire natural degeneration over time.
However, the best orthopedic surgeon knows how to minimise the risk of that as well. They will always use the best artificial parts to make this wear and tear as slow as possible.
Postoperative pain: Have you ever experienced how it feels when a little splinter has entered too deep into your thumb? Even a little stab like this makes you mourn for the rest of the day.
So, a replacement is bound to cause much physical discomfort though doctors try to manage your pain with the help of various pain medications.
Physical therapy: If you cannot afford physiotherapy or occupational therapy after the surgery, your replacement might not give you the results you would like to have.
Complications: There are various types of post-replacement problems like implant loosening, dislocation or fracture. If you are not given proper care, a replacement will be unsuccessful as you might not be able to restore the full normal range of movement involving the concerned joint.
Medical conditions: People who suffer from the condition of comorbidity or more than one medical issue often face complications after the surgery. However, if you have met with the best surgeon in the field, don’t worry. They will manage your case in the most effective way possible.
Cost: Every success comes with a price. You might be surprised to know that money can also contribute to the success of your replacement surgery. It goes like that. More money means better treatment as you will be operated by the top surgeons with the most advanced technologies is a good hospital.
Psychological impact: Mental distress can also cause complications. Suppose you are feeling too worried about the surgery you are about to undergo in a few minutes. In that case, anesthetic might not be as effective on you as it should be and the anesthetist will have to increase the amount of the anesthetic being administered. And, it will intensify the side effects of anesthesia post-replacement.
Let’s conclude: is it successful in India?
Yes and No as well!
We have talked about factors contributing to the success of a replacement surgery. And, we have also touched upon the challenges that can get in the way and complicate the post-surgical experience.
So, if you can spend enough money and ensure all the factors, yes the surgery will be a big success and there will be nothing that can keep you from dancing once again given that you have stopped the same because of severe hip or joint pain.
However, if you are inclined towards cheap and affordable treatments, it could lead to utter disaster as good surgeons often charge higher than less competent orthopedic doctors.
Thus, in short, keep in mind that you don’t miss out above mentioned checkpoints for a successful replacement of your knee or hip in India.
- Skilled surgeon: having an experienced orthopedic surgeon will help get the best results;
- Technological advancements: get your knee or hip replaced where they use the most advanced technologies.
- Quality of implants: Make sure the artificial parts used to correct your damaged joints are of good quality or you will be embarrassed.
- Preoperative care: If a medical practitioner doesn’t perform a thorough assessment of your medical history, that is not a good sign. Find another surgeon as it is crucial for the most effective post-surgery results.
- Postoperative rehabilitation: After a replacement, you have to go through a rehabilitation care facility as well. It helps with strengthening your muscles around the artificial joint facilitating the regain of the normal range of mobility.
- Healthcare standard: The hospital you choose for your treatment must be of the best quality. Excellent hospitals house the best surgeons with world-class medical facilities.
Do you need hip replacement surgery in Delhi? If yes, there is one thing you mustn’t forget. Check that your surgeon is well-certified to perform arthroplasty and the same must also be registered with the medical council.
