The Difference Between Joint Reconstruction and Joint Replacement

Joint Reconstruction Surgery | Bharath Orthopaedics
Table of Contents

Are you a person who has injured a joint in the knees, shoulders, hips, wrist, ankles and even elbows? And is the joint pain making your simplest tasks difficult such as walking, climbing the stairs and even sitting? It can be solved with some physical therapy. If it is not effective, you have to undergo surgical solutions like joint replacement and joint reconstruction surgery for long-term relief from joint pain.

The Basic Treatment of Joint Reconstruction Surgery

The first step to recover from any joint injury is the RICE method – Rice, Ice, Compression and Elevation. You should start using braces with joint movement especially if it’s a sports injury. At the same time, it is essential to maintain your weight and manage muscle tone for a healthy body and rapid recovery. If your muscles atrophy, it can cause more pressure on joints so it is vital to do a physical therapy to speed up the recovery. 

It is always best to start with minimally invasive treatments before opting for joint replacement surgery in Chennai. However, in some cases such as arthritis, dislocations, bursitis, serious injury or muscle tears, surgery may be required. 

If you have tried all the basic treatments and still dealing with lack of movement or pain, then you should consult with your doctor about a joint replacement or joint reconstruction surgery. Each of these procedures has slightly different ramifications. 

Joint Reconstruction Surgery | Bharath Orthopaedics

Joint Reconstruction Vs Joint Replacement

Joint Reconstruction is a surgical procedure that is done to repair and restore the function in a joint while joint replacement surgery involves in removing a damaged joint completely and replacing it with a new one. 

Typically, joint reconstruction is preferrable unless a joint is damaged beyond repair, and when joint replacement is necessary. Joint reconstruction surgery might be necessary if your doctor suggests you to undergo any of the following procedures:

With joint reconstruction surgery, the relief provided is only temporary but the recovery is shorter and easier and with a total joint replacement surgery in Chennai, the relief is long-lasting and recovery also takes more time. 

Joint Replacement

Joint Replacement is necessary for a patient with a degenerative disease, traumatic injury or late-stage osteoarthritis. It is usually recommended for patients only if other non-surgical options have failed to work because joint replacement surgery involves an artificial implant or prosthesis to match the original joint and move just like regular joints but it can never be restored to a natural unit.

However, advanced joint replacement surgery in Chennai involves customized joints that can fit your range of motion. Joint replacement might be necessary if you have to undergo any of these following procedures:

Also, compared to the joint reconstruction surgery, the complications for joint replacement surgery are minimal providing log-lasting pain relief for at least 10 years after the treatment.

Joint Injury Surgery: What to Expect?

Before opting for the surgery, ensure to consult Dr. L. Bharath, the best orthopaedic surgeon in Chennai and ask plenty of questions so that you will get comfortable and well prepared on the surgical day.

As with the surgery, the results of reconstructive surgery and joint replacement surgery are proven to be completely safe and effective for joint relief. At the same times, the results can also depend on the expertise of the orthopaedic surgeon. Most importantly, adequate rehabilitative care is essential to see a dramatic improvement in the mobility or functioning of the joint. 

What is the Surgical Reconstruction of a Joint?

The joint reconstruction surgery is commonly known as joint fusion or arthrodesis. It is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon uses prosthetic materials like wires, pins, plates and screws to position the bones correctly until they fuse. It is done to overcome pain in the joints and if there is significant bone loss, a bone graft may be required. 

What Should be the Types of Joint Reconstruction?

There are several types of joint reconstruction surgery depending on the symptoms and disorders of the affected joints to determine the best type of surgery for you. Some of them include: Hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, shoulder replacement surgery, elbow replacement surgery, wrist replacement surgery and ankle replacement surgery.

What is a Major Complication of Joint Surgery?

The possible complications of joint reconstruction surgery are wound infection, infection around the prosthesis, malfunction of the prosthesis (may occur due to breakage, wear and tear, loosening or dislocation), fracture treatment, blood clotting, stiffness, persistent pain, nerve injury etc. You have to consult with the doctor for complications, so he/she can prescribe the best treatment to overcome these risks at ease.

Conclusion

If you are someone who are in need of a medical evaluation of your joint pain or require joint replacement or joint reconstruction surgery, you can visit Bharath Orthopaedics and visit Dr. L. Bharath as this top orthopaedic surgeon provides superior surgical care to improve the quality of life. 

Read also Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Chennai.

Frequently Asked Questions

The success rate of joint reconstruction surgery, such as total hip or knee replacement, is generally high, with up to 90% of patients experiencing significant pain relief and improvement in joint function. The success of the surgery can depend on various factors such as the patient’s age, overall health, and adherence to postoperative care and rehabilitation.

Joint reconstruction surgery is a major surgical procedure that carries some risks, such as infection, blood clots, nerve damage, joint dislocation, and implant failure. Additionally, there may be risks associated with anesthesia, and the recovery period can be lengthy and involve complications. It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits with the surgeon before the procedure.

There is no specific age limit for joint reconstruction surgery. The decision to undergo joint replacement surgery is based on the patient’s overall health, the severity of joint damage or degeneration, and the extent to which joint pain and dysfunction interfere with daily activities. The surgeon may consider the patient’s age, but it is not the sole determining factor.