Joint Replacement Surgery

Joint replacement surgery also called arthroplasty is a progressive and highly developed field of modern orthopedics which helps people to restore ability of theirs damaged joints to move normally and get rid of severe pain. Numerous orthopedics centers in Germany offer to their patients a choice of techniques for rehabilitation of people suffering of different joint disorders. Depending on degree of your disease and individual situation you will be advised proper treatment which could vary from partial implantation by sparing methods to total joint replacement.

Joint Disorders

Among the numerous joint diseases there are some that could cause permanent problems and joint damage.

Arthritis is the most well known joint disorder which is inflammation resulting in swelling and pain. When this condition is chronicle it causes stiffness and limits ability to move.

Bursitis is named for bursa, a small sac filled with fluid which is located in joint between the bones and soft tissues as muscles and tendons. Inflammation of that sac (or cushion) is called bursitis. It can cause severe pain, especially, when calcium deposits are presented.

Joint dislocation is a condition when the bones are displaced from normal position in the point where they meet. This disorder also called luxation can be a result of trauma or congenital hyper mobility syndrome.

The joint disorders can be treated both with conservative medicine and surgical intervention and only a doctor can make a decision if you need joint surgery.

Why Do I Need Joint Replacement?

German orthopedists advise surgery only when traditional medicine is not helpful and such symptoms as pain and stiffness are severe. Here you find some indications for replacement arthroplasty:

• Persistent pain increasing over time
• Limitation of motion
• Permanent inflammation
• Non effectiveness of conservative treatment

If case you have been having long and useless attempts to restore your joints function with oral medication, injections, physical therapy and exercising, orthopedic implants may be the best solution.

What is Joint Replacement?

There are many types of surgery for joint replacement and reconstruction and they can be divided into groups based on surgical method, implant material and location of surgical intervention but roughly there two main types of joint surgery:

• Partial joint replacement
• Total joint replacement

Prosthesis Types

Human articulation consists of a ball, socket and surrounding tissues. The ball and socket can be made of the same material or different ones and, based on that, joint implants can be grouped as below:

• Metal - metal
• Polyethylene - metal
• Ceramic - metal
• Ceramic - ceramic
• Ceramic - polyethylene

As to the type of fixation of prosthesis to the bone, the following options are possible:

• Cemented
• Cementless
• Hybrid type

Partial Joint Replacement

Sometimes, it is needed to replace only one of joint compartment either inside or outside. In this case, we talk about partial (or unicompartmental) joint replacement. To restore the ability of diseased joint damaged part is replaced with an implant while the other compartments stay untouched. It gives more natural joint feeling comparing to total replacement.

Both open and minimally invasive techniques are possible but, nowadays, German orthopedic surgeons mostly give preference to sparing methods.

Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery

Partial joint arthroscopy allows replacing damaged part of articulation through small incision using special tiny instruments and miniature camera to see operational process on the monitor. The advantages of the method are:

• Smaller incision and, accordingly, smaller scar
• Less pain and bleeding
• Lesser part of bone is removed
• Shorter recovery period and hospital stay

Total Joint Replacement

In the most complicated situations total joint replacement with artificial prosthesis can be recommended. The indications for that kind of surgery are:

• Severe pain which is not cured with conservative methods
• Complete damage of the joint by arthritis of avascular necrosis

The operation can be carried out both with open surgery and minimally invasive method. In open surgery access is performed trough a long cut allowing to take damaged joint out and place artificial implant instead of. The procedure lasts for about two hours.

The Best Joint Replacement Specialists in Germany

When you are going on joint replacement surgery it is important to choose the best surgeon in this field who can recognize your particular problem and suggest a proper method and implant material, as well as perform the procedure with highest skill. The most experienced and qualified orthopedic specialists from Clinic of Braunschweig are ready to answer your question about joint replacement surgery in Germany. Please apply online for consultation and treatment.