Artificial joint replacement What is artificial joint replacement? It refers to the use of metal, polymer polyethylene, ceramic and other materials to make artificial joint prosthesis according to the shape, structure and function of human joints, and to perform joint replacement through surgical techniques to relieve joint pain, rebuild joint function and improve quality of life. Clinically, artificial hip replacement (THR) and artificial knee replacement (TKA) are more common. Hip replacement What are the elements of successful artificial joint replacement (1) Selection of the right patient: Both patients should have obvious indications for surgery and the need for surgery. It is also important to consider the needs of different groups of people, such as the needs of young patients for a high level of activity after surgery and the compliance of older patients with early postoperative rehabilitation, which will directly affect the life expectancy of the prosthesis and the functional regression after surgery. (2) Superior technology: How the surgeon installs the artificial joint prosthesis in the exact position, to ensure good joint stability and restore good joint motion, is a reflection of a deep understanding of the anatomy of the joint and the biomechanical and kinematic principles of the entire lower extremity and superior surgical technique. (3) Prosthesis selection: There is a wide variety of prostheses with design parameters from different races and populations, and the problems of new prostheses need to be tested in long-term use within the human environment. In addition, if the surgeon is not familiar enough with the prosthesis, it is likely to prolong the operation, thus increasing the incidence of postoperative complications. Therefore, “the more expensive and newer the prosthesis, the more suitable, there is no best prosthesis, only the most suitable for you”. (4) Perioperative management: mainly includes preoperative assessment of the patient’s general condition, anesthesia evaluation and operation, skilled cooperation of the surgeon and instrumentation nurse during surgery, postoperative analgesia, anti-infection, and the more important perioperative rehabilitation treatment. What are the main rehabilitation problems before and after artificial joint replacement, and what is the importance of rehabilitation? (1) Pain: Preoperative pain stems from long-standing bone and joint disease and is a direct cause of surgery. Post-operative pain is mainly caused by surgical trauma in the early stage, and some rehabilitation operations may also cause pain in the later stage (but the pain can be prevented and controlled at this time, so don’t worry). (2) Joint mobility disorders: preoperatively due to progressive contracture of its surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsule and other soft tissues. The joint mobility disorder after the replacement is also affected by surgical trauma and pain on top of this. (3) Other: the patient’s advanced age, decreased muscle strength around the joint and throughout the body, reduced tolerance for functional activities, decreased balance and proprioception, etc. Integration of orthopaedic rehabilitation