Things to be Aware of with Shoulder Replacement Surgery

The glenohumeral joint, also known as shoulder joint, is the most portable joint in the human body. Total or partial joint replacement has become a more common treatment along with the total hip or knee replacement surgeries. The shoulder joint is a ball-and- socket joint that allows you to raise, twist and bend your arm. The bones in the joint are covered with a tough, lubricating tissue known as cartilage to provide a smooth, pain-free movement to the joint.

The primary aim of shoulder replacement surgery is to reduce pain, while the secondary benefit is restoring motion, function and strength. People suffering from arthritis may develop pain in their shoulders. A shoulder joint replacement surgery is the best solution to reduce the pain and improve the function of arthritic or a damaged shoulder. Below is the information that one should be aware of for shoulder replacement surgery.

Symptoms of shoulder arthritis:

–          Partial motion of shoulder

–          Swelling of the joint

–          Pain during activities

–          A feeling of pulverizing within the joint

–          Rigidity of the shoulder

–          Creaking noise

–          Tenderness of the joint

–          Weakness of the muscle

–          Redness of the joint

If you and your family have decided to opt for a total shoulder replacement, then be sure to select the best orthopedic surgeons. During your visit to the hospital, your orthopedic surgeon will take you through the evaluation procedure to determine whether you would benefit from this surgery.

Evaluation consists of the following components:

–          A medical history to gather information about your general health.

–          A physical examination to access your shoulder motion, stability and strength.

–          X-rays to determine the extent of shoulder damage

–          Other tests, such as blood tests, MRI scan may be required.

As doctors confirm that you are a candidate for shoulder replacement surgery, they will explain how to get ready for the surgery.

Surgical Procedure:

–          You may be provided a general anesthesia, a regional or a combination of the both.

–          The surgery will take around 2 hours.

–          After the operation, you will be shifted to the recovery room. Here, you will remain for several hours where your recovery from anesthesia will be monitored.

Generally after three months of surgery patients feel reasonably comfortable and are able to have motion about half-normal but with slight weakness. At around 6 months, most patients are pain-free and have motion and strength about two-thirds normal. At one year, approximately 95% of patients enjoy pain free function, which facilitates them to exercise the shoulder area sufficiently to promote restoration of strength. Thus the procedure is a highly valued alternative for a wide range of patients suffering from shoulder pain.

 

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical care or medical advice and is not a replacement for medical care given by your physicians or trained medical personnel.

A Guide to Total Hip Replacement Recovery Exercises

A Guide to Total Hip Replacement Recovery Exercises

The rehabilitation process after hip replacement surgery occurs early in the post operative period. The recovery process is long and tedious, and lasts from three to six months. Early therapeutic exercises help you regain and improve strength around the operative hip. Every patient undergoing hip replacement surgery wants to know when they will be able to return to normal life. Recovery time is a common question posed to specialists and non-specialists alike.

Physical therapy is very important, and most of the exercises can be done at home. Therapy will also help you learn to walk on your new joint. You should consult your physical therapist as soon as possible after the hip replacement surgery to develop an individualized exercise program to help you recover faster.

A physical therapist may recommend you to exercise 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day for your early recovery. Some of the suggested exercises are listed below:

1. Ankle Pumps: Gradually push your foot up and down. Repeat this every 5-10 minutes. This exercise can be started immediately after surgery and continue until you are fully recovered.
2. Bed-Supported Knee Bends:  Slide your heel toward your buttocks, bending your knee and keeping your heel on the bed. Repeat 10 times, 3 to 4 times a day.
3. Straight Leg Raises: These help strengthen the hip joint. Laying on your back on a flat surface, bend the knee of the uninvolved leg to a 90-degree angle and keep your foot flat on the surface. Keep your involved leg straight without the knee bent. Slowly lift the involved leg six inches off the surface & hold for five seconds. Slowly lower your leg to the floor. Repeat this 10 more times.
4. Standing Hip Abduction: Be sure that your hip, knee and foot are pointing straight forward, and keep your body straight. With your knee straight, lift your leg out to the slide. Slowly lower your leg so your foot is back on the floor. Repeat 10 times, 3 to 4 times a day.
5. Abduction Exercise: Slide your leg out to the side as far as you can and then back. Repeat 10 times, 3 to 4 times a day.
6. Walking and Early Activity: Soon after the surgery you will be able to walk short distances and perform light daily activities. This early activity started in the hospital will help your hip muscles regain strength and movement.
7. Walking with a Walker, Cane or Crutch: A walker is often used for the first several weeks to help your balance and to avoid falls. You can use a cane or single crutch when you become capable enough to balance and stand properly without your walker.

There are more exercises for total hip replacement recovery including ankle rotations, buttock contractions, standing exercises, standing hip extensions and stair climbing and descending to help you increase your hip mobility.

Such regular exercises to restore your normal hip motion and a gradual return to daily activities are very important to your recovery & well being.

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical care or medical advice and is not a replacement for medical care given by your physicians or trained medical personnel.

Advances in Total Knee Replacement Surgery

These days, technology has been improved and most of the work is done with the help of the latest technology. The latest surgeries are also been performed with the help of the latest technology. The total knee replacement is one of those latest surgeries. It is also known as total knee arthroplasty. People often feel some problems in their knee joints and they find it very painful due to unknown reasons. They are unable to move effectively and it becomes difficult to move around due to the particular pain. Some doctors prefer to prescribe pain medicine while others prefer injections. If the problem persists then the knee replacement surgery may be the best option.

Total knee replacement surgery is a complete replacement of knee joint parts with artificial components. Most of the smaller parts in the knee joint, which are causing pain, can be changed with the artificial knee joint parts. They are made in such a way to fit according to the requirements of the individual’s knee. Total knee replacement is a very effective surgery and it can provide relief from the pain in knee joints that you experience. Total knee arthroplasty may be the best solution for you.

With advancements in technology come advances in knee replacement surgery. Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized total knee replacement surgery as well as many fields of medicine. The main characteristic of this surgery is that it uses specialized techniques and instrumentation to enable the surgeon to perform major surgery without a large incision.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) knee joint replacement requires a much smaller incision, three to five inches, versus the standard approach and incision, which is typically eight to twelve inches. The smaller less invasive approach results in minimum tissue trauma by allowing the surgeon to work between the fibers of the quadriceps muscles instead of requiring an incision through the tendon. It may lead to less pain, decreased recovery time and better motion due to less scar tissue formation.

Currently, this less invasive procedure is performed only by a small percentage of orthopedic surgeons in North America. Improvements in surgical materials and techniques have greatly increased total knee surgery effectiveness.

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical care or medical advice and is not a replacement for medical care given by your physicians or trained medical personnel.

Importance of Post-Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery Exercises

Thousands of Americans undergo total shoulder joint replacement surgery annually, which is an option given to patients who suffer from shoulder dysfunction. This is usually due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Other treatments are considered first before opting for total shoulder replacement surgery, however when these options cannot provide sustained relief, this is the best option to relieve you from shoulder pain.

After your total shoulder replacement operation, it is vital to perform certain exercises to help strengthen your shoulder and arm and encourage recovery. Orthopedic surgeons usually advise to follow these exercises as they aide in a fast recovery and ease the post-surgery discomfort within a short period of time allowing for easy movement of shoulder.

The following exercises may be recommended by your physiotherapist and should be performed as instructed for easy movement of the shoulder.

Elbow Range of Motion

Before starting this exercise, remove your sling. With your arm bent at a 90-degree angle, bend and straighten your arm as though brushing something off the front of you. This exercise should be repeated 30 times, three times a day. This exercise will help avoid stiffness in your elbow after being in a sling for long periods of time. This also reduces post surgery shoulder pain.

Grip Strengthening

Begin this exercise by making a tight fist or by gripping a rubber ball. Hold this position for 10 seconds and then release. Repeat this exercise 30 times, three times a day. This exercise works your hand and helps prevent blood clots.

Scapula Retraction

Begin this exercise by standing straight. Pinch your shoulder blades together and hold them for 10 seconds. Then relax and repeat the exercise again. Repeat this motion 30 times, three times a day. This exercise helps strengthen muscles around your shoulder blade and allows your shoulder to move more effectively with much ease.

Supported Arm Pendulum

Start this exercise by bending over at your waist. Support yourself by placing your hand, on the side that did not undergo surgery, on a table or chair. With the help of your other arm, make small clockwise and counterclockwise circles. Repeat this exercise 30 times, three times a day.

External Rotation

Begin this exercise by bending the arm, on the side of the recovering shoulder, at a 90-degree angle. Keeping your elbow against your body, use your other hand to gently rotate your forearm outward until your arm is pointing in front of you. Repeat this exercise 30 times, 3 times a day.

This is just for educational purposes and this information should not be taken as your doctor’s advice. The exercises vary from patient to patient and can be best provided by an orthopedic surgeon. For further information visit: http://www.zehrcenter.com.

Total Shoulder Replacement – Recovery and Rehab Program

After undergoing Total Shoulder Replacement surgery, the degree of its success is a well-defined and properly guided recovery program. This program aids in a fast recovery and in getting back to your normal routine within a short period of time.

A total shoulder replacement operation helps a patient recover from arthritis pain and suffering and to resume many of his/her pre-operative activities. The surgery relieves the patient from pain but functional improvement varies from patient to patient as it depends on numerous factors. An important part of recovery requires the patient’s commitment to the surgeon’s recovery program and post surgical rehab plan. This may also include restricting certain activities, performing the prescribed exercises, and if needed, attending physical therapy sessions on a regular basis. Each plan takes the patient’s age and health into consideration; therefore, it is unlikely that one patient’s plan will be identical to another.

On completion of the surgery, the patient will spend some time in a post-op recovery room, before the patient will be moved to their room. If a nerve block, which is done to control post operative pain, is placed before the operation, upon awakening, the patient will notice that the arm on which the surgery is performed is numb and that the wrist and fingers may not move normally for up to 24 hours.

Many surgeons order an icing machine for placement on the shoulder, while still in recovery room. This helps in reducing swelling and pain due to total shoulder replacement surgery. Usually, the patient is instructed to continue with the ice packs even after discharge. Other key factors of a shoulder replacement recovery include:

1. When the patient regains movement in the hand, it’s good to begin exercising as soon as possible. This normally includes making a fist in the hand on the arm on which surgery was performed. The patient will likely be instructed to hold the fist for five seconds before releasing and to repeat the action frequently. This helps keep the blood in that arm circulating and can aide in the reduction of bruising.
2. Patients are given a sling to wear for four to six weeks following surgery. It’s necessary to be worn when in public places or when the patient is mobile such as climbing stairs. The sling can be relaxed only during sedentary activities such as watching television or sitting in a courtyard. Patients can return to work within the first 3-4 weeks and those with a more strenuous profession may require additional time.
3. When the patients are in the hospital for two days following the surgery, during this time, usually a physical therapist will visit once or twice a day. The physician usually instructs a patient to begin exercises as early as the day following total shoulder replacement. These exercises are designed to strengthen the arm as well as keep it flexible. These exercises also depend on the patient’s age, physical activity, and health; however they are not load-bearing movements.

Total shoulder replacement surgery can be a highly effective procedure for resolving pain in the shoulder and improving functionality allowing the return to normal activities including low impact sports. Patients who have received treatment from the right orthopedic surgeon and follow their physical therapy plans usually reap the highest benefit from total shoulder replacement surgery.