Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic surgery and joint replacement are specialized fields within orthopaedics focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, particularly the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Here's an overview of both:

Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic surgery deals with the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders through both surgical and non-surgical methods. Orthopaedic surgeons are trained to manage a wide variety of issues affecting:

• • Bones (fractures, deformities, infections)
• • Joints (arthritis, dislocations, chronic pain)
• • Muscles and Tendons (torn ligaments, tendonitis, muscle injuries)
• • Spine(spinal stenosis, herniated discs, scoliosis)
• • Other Connective Tissues (ligaments, cartilage, etc.)

Common orthopaedic surgeries include:

• • Fracture repair: Surgical intervention to realign and stabilize broken bones.
• • Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive surgery that uses an arthroscope to diagnose and treat joint problems, such as torn cartilage or ligaments.
• • Spinal surgeries: Fusion of vertebrae, laminectomies (removing part of the vertebra), or disc repairs for conditions like herniated discs.
• • Rotator cuff repair: Treats injuries to the shoulder's rotator cuff tendons.

Joint Replacement Surgery

Joint replacement surgery is a highly specialized area within orthopaedic surgery. It involves replacing damaged joints with artificial prostheses (made of metal, plastic, or ceramic) to restore function and relieve pain, typically caused by arthritis, trauma, or other joint-degenerative conditions. The most common joint replacements include:

1. 1. Hip Replacement (Total Hip Arthroplasty)
   • • Indication: Severe hip arthritis, hip fractures, or joint degeneration.
   • • Procedure: The surgeon removes the damaged parts of the hip joint and replaces them with artificial components (prosthetic ball and socket).
2. 2. Knee Replacement (Total Knee Arthroplasty)
   • • Indication: Advanced arthritis of the knee, significant joint deformity, or trauma.
   • • Procedure: The damaged knee joint is replaced with a prosthesis that mimics the function of the natural knee.
3. 3. Shoulder Replacement
   • • Indication: Severe shoulder arthritis or rotator cuff injury.
   • • Procedure: The damaged parts of the shoulder (humeral head and glenoid) are replaced with prosthetic components.
4. Other Joint Replacements: These include replacements of smaller joints like the ankle, wrist, elbow, and finger joints, though they are less common.

Indications for Joint Replacement

• • Osteoarthritis: The most common reason for joint replacement due to cartilage wear and tear.
• • Rheumatoid arthritis: Chronic inflammation leading to joint damage.
• • Post-traumatic arthritis: Arthritis that occurs after an injury to the joint.
• • Avascular necrosis: Loss of blood supply to the bone, causing the bone tissue to die and joints to collapse.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery from joint replacement surgery typically involves physical therapy to regain mobility, strength, and range of motion. Most patients experience significant improvements in pain relief and function after full recovery, which can take anywhere from several weeks to months.

At Mercury Hospital, their Orthopaedic Surgery and Joint Replacement treatments focus on advanced surgical techniques to help patients with hip and knee conditions, often due to arthritis or injury. These treatments include total and partial joint replacements, using technologies such as computer-assisted and robotic surgery for more precision and faster recovery times. They cater specifically to conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic injuries that severely impact mobility and quality of life.

The hospital offers comprehensive care both before and after surgery, ensuring patients are well-prepared for the procedure and supported throughout recovery. For instance, they might suggest physical therapy or hydrotherapy to strengthen muscles pre-surgery, aiding in post-surgery recovery. They also have virtual education classes to help patients understand the surgery and recovery process, ensuring a smoother rehabilitation