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 Saint
Raphael’s has a reputation for being an outstanding center for both
knee and hip replacement surgery. We have received recognition as
a Top 100 orthopedic hospital, and were the first in New England
to perform a knee replacement using an oxidized zirconium artificial
knee. (Learn more about this artificial knee under “Knee Replacement”
and by reading about the first zirconium
knee replacement surgery.)
There are numerous causes of joint disease, including rheumatoid
arthritis and osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.
Most total joint replacement patients suffer from some form of arthritis
that limits walking, exercise and even work. Knee and hip replacements
are the most common type of joint replacement.
Knee Replacement
The knee is like a hinge at the junction of the thigh bone (femur)
and the shin bone (tibia). In a total knee replacement, the surgeon
removes the damaged cartilage that cushions the ends of these two
bones and surgically shaves off the damaged ends of the bones. The
surgeon then places a smooth plastic covering on the surface of
the tibia and covers the end of the femur with a small, metallic
cap designed to ride smoothly on the plastic surface. These prosthetic
parts are held in place with a special bone cement.
The surgeon also replaces the back of the kneecap with a plastic
surface, enhancing the entire knee's capacity for motion. The ligaments,
muscles and joint capsule that support the knee remain intact.
| Traditional
knee implants, made from cobalt chrome or
titanium, are expected to last about
10 to
20 years.
However, in addition to these
implants, Saint Raphael's was the first hospital in New England
to offer a new type of artificial knee, made from oxidized zirconium,
that is expected to last significantly longer. Its ceramic surface
produces less friction and resists
roughening more than the metal surface of cobalt chrome.
It is also strong enough to withstand heavy loads. Saint Raphael's also offers gender-specific knees, trabecular metal knees, and computer-guided surgical procedures. |
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Regardless of which type of knee implant
you may have, in general, you can expect to stay in the hospital
several days. Following your discharge, you may choose to go to
an inpatient rehabilitation center for several days to assist in
your recovery. This will be followed by about four to six weeks
of outpatient physical therapy.
Hip Replacement
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that acts like a ball bearing,
allowing you to turn in different directions while supporting the
body. The "ball" is located at the upper end of the thigh bone (femur),
and this fits into the "socket" of the hip. Both are protected by
cartilage, the smooth soft tissue that allows the ball to move easily
inside of the socket.
Both arthritis and osteoarthritis can cause the cartilage to wear
away, allowing the bones to rub against each other and causing pain
and disability. This is the most common reason for hip replacement.
An artificial hip is made of metal and plastic and recreates the
normal function of the hip.
There are two types of total hip replacement procedures: cemented
and cementless. In cemented hip replacement, a cement is used to
secure the implant to the bone. In cementless hip replacement, the
bone heals directly to the prosthesis. The results of either procedure
are similar. The
only difference is that cementless hip replacement usually has a
longer lifetime and is only for those patients with sufficient bone
quality to accommodate a cementless procedure.
Most patients take six weeks to three months to recover after a
hip replacement procedure. However, you can expect to see improvements
for up to one year or longer after the operation.
This page
was last updated on 11/07/2006
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