Overview.
Artificial joint replacement is a common method of treating severe joint pathologies in recent years Artificial joints are artificial organs designed on the basis of developments in metallurgy, biomaterials, biomechanics and orthopaedic surgery. Artificial joints are surgically implanted to replace damaged and non-functional joints in the body for the purpose of relieving symptoms and improving function, and this is called artificial joint replacement. After Liu Huan suffered from femoral head necrosis, he was treated with joint replacement surgery and recovered well.
The range of artificial joints is quite wide, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle joints. In the 1980s, joint replacement was usually considered a major surgery, but now it has developed into a routine surgery. A hip or knee replacement surgery can be successfully completed in only one and a half hours with little trauma and less bleeding. With joint replacement, not only can the patient’s course of illness be greatly shortened, but also the patient’s pain and other symptoms can be relieved, greatly improving the quality of life. Joint replacement surgery is now very common, especially hip and knee replacements are mature.
History of development.
The history of artificial joint replacement dates back to the 1960s, when a total hip replacement was performed by Dr. Chamley in England in 1960, a major advance in orthopedics in the 20th century. Since then, the treatment of total hip replacements has improved with the development of surgical techniques and shell material science. In the United States, approximately 500,000 total hip replacements are performed each year.
After more than 60 years of development, artificial joint replacement has now become one of the standard clinical procedures for the treatment of serious hip and knee diseases. Especially since the 1990s, basic research, development and clinical research on artificial joints have been intensifying, which has gradually brought the level of artificial joints in China in line with the international advanced level, and in some aspects even reached the international advanced level. At present, there are about 30,000 to 50,000 people receiving artificial joint surgery in China every year. After more than 30 years of clinical verification, the use of artificial joints to treat hip and knee joint diseases is highly effective, so artificial joint replacement is known as a revolutionary advancement in the treatment of joint diseases.
Artificial joint replacement started with the hip joint and then expanded to other joints throughout the body such as the knee, elbow, shoulder and ankle joints, followed by the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints, while the development of artificial vertebrae, artificial discs and artificial nucleus pulposus has been a matter of the last 20 to 30 years, and the artificial wrist joint is still unsatisfactory until today. Hip and knee joint replacement technology has been very mature.
Indications.
Artificial joint replacement is applicable to hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, and interphalangeal joints, etc. Knee and hip replacements are especially common. In addition to the above-mentioned scope of application, the following conditions should be present when developing a surgical plan for joint replacement for a patient.
1. The severity and duration of pain. For advanced joint lesions other than infection and severe neuroarthritis. The duration of pain and dysfunction of the patient should be longer than one year. Arthroplasty should be considered only when various conservative treatments are ineffective for at least six months and the radiographs show advanced lesions.
2. The patient’s request for surgery is urgent. The patient requires surgery from the heart, rather than reluctantly accepting it.
3. Previous treatment methods are ineffective. Including regular medication for more than 3 months, the effect of local rest and physical therapy measures is not obvious.
4.Ability to understand and cooperate with postoperative rehabilitation. If the patient is very poorly compliant and cannot cooperate with rehabilitation training after surgery; or if the lesion is very severe, but is still expected to be unable to walk after surgery, the patient is not suitable to receive artificial joint replacement.
Technical advantages.
1. Relieve the patient’s pain and suffering. Although anti-inflammatory pain medication can also relieve pain, once the medication is stopped, the pain will recur. This problem will be solved with joint replacement.
2.Improve the function of the knee joint. In severe cases, joint function is seriously affected, and after joint replacement, the patient can move freely.
3.Improve the quality of life of the patient. Because of pain and limited function, patients often have a difficult life before surgery, and after joint replacement patients can work and study normally.
4.Prevent secondary deterioration of general health. Patients with joint disease have limited function, which can easily lead to diseases such as osteoporosis, reduced function of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and can return to society after joint replacement.
5.Prevent the harm caused to patients by taking medication. No need to take medication after the operation, eliminating the toxic side effects of drugs.
6.Protect the contralateral joint. Many patients use the healthy side of the joint because the function of the diseased joint is limited, which leads to arthritic symptoms such as pain and swelling on the healthy side. Bilateral force balance after joint replacement can protect the contralateral joint!