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| Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ) |
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| Hip Replacement |
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| Here are some frequently asked questions related to hip replacement: |
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| Q: If I decide to have a total hip replacement, how many years will it last? |
| A: New materials used in total hip replacement are very durable and are expected to last greater than ten years in 90% of individuals receiving total hips. The chance of hip replacement lasting 20 years is 80%. |
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| Q: How soon following total hip replacement should I be able to progress to walking independently? |
| A: The speed with which a person is able to abandon the use of crutches, a walker or cane varies from individual to individual and with the type of artificial implant used. The majority of people require only a cane after six weeks, although others may need more time to progress. |
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| Q: How soon can one drive again after total hip replacement? |
| A: Following total hip replacement, individuals are generally advised not to drive for six weeks. However, some may be able to return earlier. The surgeon will determine the appropriate time upon re-evaluation of the new hip joint. |
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| Q: Will my medical insurance policy cover all or most of a total hip replacement? |
| A: Because of the nature and potential need for this particular surgery, Medicare and most other medical insurance policies cover some or the majority of the surgery. However, it is often necessary to contact the medical insurance company before the surgery and inquire if prior authorization for coverage is needed. At that time, the insurance company will advise what percentage of the charges will be paid for by the patient. |
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| Q: How often do I need to do my instructed exercises and for how long after surgery? |
| A: The exercise program should be performed 2 times per day for the initial 6 to 8 weeks. After this time, if the individual has progressed to a cane or to walking without an assistive device, frequency can be reduced to 3 times a week to maintain strength and endurance. Because recovery times vary, the final decision should be made only by the physician and/or physical therapist. |
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| Knee Replacement |
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| Here are some frequently asked questions related to hip replacement: |
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| Q:" I am scared of this operation” |
A: The fear for this kind of surgery is real and quite natural. Preparing yourself psychologically can go a long way towards relieving your anxiety. The following tips could help: Fear of the unknown
Our team includes resident doctors who will explain what is an artificial joint with the help of a bone model. Talk to us and take the telephone numbers of people who have been successfully operated upon. You can also meet them personally at the clinic, which will help allay most your fears. |
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| Q: What are the chances of infection? |
A: Our infection rate is very minimal, matching international standards (less than 1% in about 700 cases over the last 12 years). This is owing to the multiple precautionary measures that we take which are:
- Personalized attention and strict adherence to the stringent protocol devised by us which is time tested for almost a decade now. This includes use of disposables which guard and minimize the chances of infection.
- Operating in a specialized operation theatre designed exclusively for joint surgeries. It is equipped with Laminar Air Flow technology which drastically minimizes the risk of infection by using special filters and a vertical flow which creates a “bacteria free” sterile environment.
- Use of body exhaust space suits similar to the suits worn by astronauts.
- Use of prophylactic antibiotics personally supervised by a team of dedicated doctors and infection specialists.
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| Q: How long will the artificial joint last? What are my limitations after the surgery? |
A: Published literature the world over clearly shows that an artificial hip or knee joint can last at lest for 10 years although in some cases, joints have lasted as long as 25 years. It has relieved millions of crippled arthritic patients of pain and improved their quality of life. In the USA alone 450,000 patients are operated upon every years. The artificial joint can last longer if the following points are seriously considered:
- The surgeon who performs this operation has been trained under the guidance of a reputed teacher who follows global standards.
- Patients must strictly adhere to the post-operative physiotherapy program and avoid doing those activities which are not permissible. They must remember that the artificial joint can last longer only if used properly. Impact loading activities like running, jumping and extreme positions like squatting for Indian toilet are best avoided.
- The quality and design of the joint used by the surgeon also matter. We always insist on using a standard design with a 25-30 years proven track record.
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| Q: How long will I have to stay in the hospital? What will be my schedule after the surgery? |
A: Majority of the patients are made to walk with support on the third post-operative day barring those who have other joints affected. Patients are discharged as soon as they are able to climb stairs, which is generally in the second week (presuming an uneventful post-operative regime). They walk with elbow crutche, which are kept for six weeks after the operation. Remember that the purpose of this operation is to make you independent and give a pain free, mobile existence without any support and getting back to normal activities of your daily routine.
Our team members will call you and will train you so that your gait balance returns to near normal. This critical surveillance will go on for at least a year after the surgery. Thereafter your visits will be on a yearly basis or whenever we wish to see you. |
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| Q: How soon following total knee replacement should I be able to progress to walking independently? |
| A: The speed with which a person is able to discontinue the use of crutches, walker or cane varies from individual to individual. The majority of people require only a cane after six weeks, although others may need more time to progress and soon after become independent of any assistive device. |
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| Q: How soon can one drive again after total knee replacement? |
| A: It is generally recommended not to drive for six weeks following total knee replacement However, if good knee control is achieved some may be able to return earlier. The surgeon will determine the appropriate time. |
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| Q: What is a bilateral total knee replacement? |
| A: When both knees are replaced at the same time, the procedure is a bilateral total knee replacement. The simultaneous procedure refers to replacing both knees during one surgical event, under one anesthesia followed by a single rehabilitation period. A staged surgical procedure means that the second knee is replaced at a later period several months apart, requiring two separate hospital stays, anesthesias, and rehabilitation periods. |
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| Q: If I have one knee replaced does this indicate I will definitely be in need of replacing the other? |
| A: No. Often only one knee is affected and the other completely normal. Sometimes the other knee is also affected either as severely or not as badly. The surgeon can inform you of the likelihood if the other knee will need to be replaced in the future. |
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| Q: Will I loose a great deal of motion if I discontinue my exercise program given to me in physical therapy? |
| A: How high at risk you are for losing range of motion will depend how active you are with your new knee. If you are relatively active with bending and straightening you probably will not lose a significant amount if any. However, if you lead a sedentary lifestyle it is best to continue with all of the flexibility and strengthening exercises at least 3 times per week to maintain range of motion and strength. |
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| Arthritis |
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| Here are some frequently asked questions related to osteoarthritis. |
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| Q: Will a change of diet improve my osteoarthritis? |
| A: Research does not indicate that by modifying one's diet or eating larger amounts of certain foods will prevent OA or reverse its effects. Yet it is prudent to control obesity by limiting calories, opting for healthy eating habits, and cutting down on the intake of fatty foods. Some changes in body chemicals related to painful inflammation can be initiated by replacing red meats with fish and by using certain vegetable oils. Some people believe that 'acid foods' cause arthritis. This is not the case. In addition, alcohol does not affect OA, although alcoholism can damage bone and be a secondary cause of OA. |
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| Q: I have broken my knee twice playing football. Will I develop osteoarthritis in that joint? |
| A: It is possible. Joint trauma is known to be a factor in the development of OA. Furthermore, if a bone is broken near a joint, there is a greater likelihood of developing OA in the joint itself. |
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| Q: My stomach is easily upset. Will arthritis medicine upset my stomach or give me an ulcer? |
| A: Make sure your physician is aware of your stomach problems so that he or she can prescribe a pain reliever that does not irritate the stomach or cause bleeding from or ulcers in the stomach, which these medications can sometimes do. Suitable choices can be an aspirin-free pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, or an NSAID that causes fewer GI symptoms (such as salsalate). As an alternative, the physician may prescribe another medication to lessen the side effects of NSAIDs. It also may be beneficial to switch to the new COX-2 inhibitors that significantly lessen the chance of stomach problems. |
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| Q: Will moving to a different climate improve my osteoarthritis? |
| A: It is well known that arthritis sufferers often feel more joint pain in damp locations, just before it rains, or sometimes during humid periods. However, OA occurs in all climates. The effect of the weather really is a temporary effect on symptoms and does not actually affect the disease. This means that climate does not improve or worsen arthritis, although it may affect the symptoms. |
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| Q: I have osteoarthritis in my hip joint. Will I need surgery to correct it? |
| A: Very likely, no. Most people with osteoarthritis never need to have surgery. Surgery only becomes an option if the person suffers from (1) severe pain that is not relieved by available treatment methods, (2) a dramatically impaired ability to perform daily activities, or (3) marked joint instability. Simpler treatments must be tried before surgery is considered. |
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| Q: Both my mother and father had osteoarthritis. Am I likely to get it too? |
| A: Heredity appears to play a role in osteoarthritis, although the exact causes remain unknown. In a few people scientists have found an abnormal gene that causes the early breakdown of joint cartilage. This eventually may lead to the development of osteoarthritis. However, it doesn't at all follow that you'll develop OA in a joint just because a parent has it. |
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