1. What is
Arthritis?
Arthritis is
swelling around any joint. It may be due
to infection, aging process and
inflammation.
2. Is surgery the
best treatment for Rotator Cuff Injury?
Yes. It gives
more stability to the joint. It gives
faster recovery and improves function of
shoulder joint.
3. Are there any
alternative treatment for Arthritis?
Yes. Initial
stages of Arthritis(age related) can be
treated with rest, exercises and
viscosupplementation (for better mobility
of joints). Infective Arthritis can be
treated conservatively with antibiotics.
4. Are there
alternative treatments available for
Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Yes. Rheumatoid
Arthritis is primarily treated with DMRDs.
If the joints are severely damaged then
replacements can be done.
5. What is Frozen
Shoulder?
Frozen Shoulder
is stiffness around shoulder joint. Common
symptoms of it is pain with restricted
movements. It may occur due to an old
injury and because of diabetes too.
6. What is Shoulder
Dislocation?
Shoulder
Dislocation is displacement of human head
from shoulder joint - primarily due to
trauma or sometimes due to weak rotator
cuffs.
7. What is
Arthroscopic Surgery?
Arthroscopic
Surgery is minimally invasive or key hole
surgery around joints. Usually there are
two small holes made - one for the
insertion of the arthroscope (camera) and
the another one is for shaving of
ligaments.
8. What is Joint
Replacement Surgery?
Joint
Replacement Surgery means replacement of
articular surfaces of a joint. It may
partial replacement or total replacement.
9. What is the
longevity of artificial joints?
With certain
precautionary measurements taken,
longevity of artificial joints range from
15 to 20 years.
10. What is an ACL
Reconstruction?
ACL
Reconstruction means preparation of new
ACL ligament for knee joints.
11. What is Shoulder
Arthroscopy
Meaning of the
word arthroscopy is to look within the
joint . It is basically a procedure that
is used by the Orthopaedic surgeons to
investigate, diagnose and repair a problem
(if any) inside the joint. Shoulder
Arthroscopy is a process where a small
camera called arthroscope is inserted into
the joint of a human shoulder. The camera
is used to display images on a television
screen which helps the surgeon to use
miniature surgical instruments. Compared
to the open surgeries very small cuts or
incisions are made using the thin
arthroscope and other surgical
instruments. The benefits of arthroscopy
are patient experiences less pain and also
the time for recovery becomes shorter for
this procedure.
Shoulder arthroscopy has redefined the
surgical procedures by making the
recovery, diagnosis and the treatment
processes easier and quicker. Continuous
changes are being made by the surgeons to
develop the techniques for this procedure
furthe.
12. When is a
Shoulder Arthroscopy advised?
If a patient
experiences pain and inflammation in and
around the shoulder joint for quite a
longer period of time and the same is not
arrested by any of the non-surgical
treatments available; then the surgeons
may advise to go for a Shoulder
Arthroscopy.
Following are the conditions for
which Shoulder Arthroscopy is required:
Rotator cuff repair
Repair of ligaments
Repair for shoulder dislocation
recurrence
Removal of inflamed loose cartilages or
tissues
Bone spur removal
Repair or removal of the Labrum
Fracture repair
Nerve release
Cyst excision
13. Difference
between a shoulder separation and a
shoulder dislocation
There is a very
common confusion among non-medical people
regarding the conditions of shoulder
dislocation and shoulder separation. It is
very important to clear their notion that
both the conditions are same. In reality,
these two are completely different
conditions in every aspect. First of all,
shoulder separation occurs in the
Acromioclavicular Joint which is a
junction between the clavicle and the
scapula. On the contrary, shoulder
dislocation takes place when the humerus
is displaced. Secondly, treatment
procedures, clinical advices, recovery
period, complication all these vary from
each other for a patient complaining of
shoulder separation and the one deals with
shoulder dislocation.
Surgical Treatment
Related Questions:
1. What is the
recovery time?
Wound healing
takes approximately 2 weeks. Full recovery
for pain free and un-assisted walking
takes 4 to 6weeks after surgery.
2. When will my
staples be removed?
A: Usually after
10-14 days from the date of surgery.
3. How long do I
need to keep a bandage on my incision?
For 2 weeks.
4. When should I
wear the knee immobilizer? When can i
discontinue it?
The knee
immobilizer should be used throughout the
night. It can be removed during walking.
5. When can I shower
(get incision wet)?
After
Staples/stitches get removed.
6. When can I
immerse my knee in water (e.g. bath,
swimming pool, hot tube, etc)?
After 2 to 3
weeks.
7. How long will I
be on pain medication?
It varies
depending on the patient's health
condition. Usually pain medication is
continued for 10 to 14 days.
8. Do I need
physical therapy?
Yes, regular
supervised types for the first 3 weeks and
then twice or thrice a week.
9. What are good
positions for my knee? What positions
should I avoid?
You can sit on a
chair which is at least 18" high. Avoid
sitting on the floor or cross legged.
10. How long will I
be on a blood thinner?
For 2 weeks.
11. How long should
I take iron supplements?
For around 1
month or as advised by the surgeon.
12. I am
constipated, what should I do?
Take leafy
vegetables, milk, bananas, high fibers
diet.
13. When can I
drive?
After one and a
half months.
14. When can I
return to work?
Tentatively
after 1 month.
15. When can I
travel?
Tentatively
after 1 month.
16. What activities
are permitted following surgery?
You can sit on
the bed, walk to toilet under the
supervision of physiotherapists.
17. Can I kneel?
You should not
try that.
18. Should I use Ice
or Hot compression?
Ice is advised
to be used.
19. How much range
of motion do I need?
Varies, 0 - 90
degree / 0 - 120 degree (depending upon
the type of implant used).
20. What should I
expect for my range of motion at 6 weeks?
At 1 year?
Around 90
degree; 90 - 110 degree.
21. How long will my
Total Knee Replacement last?
Approximately 15
to 20 years with certain precautionary
measurements taken.
22. When do I need
to follow up with my surgeon?
Usually after 2
weeks from the date of discharge or as
advised by the physician.
23. Normal things
about your new knee?
Painless
movements, walking without a stick etc.
24. How will avail a
rehabilitation facility at home?
For 3 to 5 days
initially physiotherapy will be done at
hospital. Thereafter rehab protocol can be
followed at home under the guidance of an
expert physiotherapist.
25. Do I need to use
ice or hot compression on my injury or
while experiencing swelling?
Always ice
compression for any types of injury - it
will give relief from pain and reduce
swelling over the injured area
|