Throughout your body, you have several joints – places where two or more bones come together. These joints allow for movement and flexibility – you can run, jump, dance, and walk because of them. When joints decay due to damage, arthritis, disease, or use, there can be severe pain, stiffness, and swelling and elective joint surgery may be necessary.
Before Surgery — “Pain is not normal,” says Robin Boyer, Director of Nursing at Lutheran Hillside Village. “So many older adults think that since they’re older, pain is a part of life. Pain is not a normal sign of aging and should be discussed with your doctor.”
Your doctor can recommend an orthopedic surgeon when elective joint surgery is needed. That surgeon will want to meet you as well to discuss your options as well as how soon the surgery is needed and what you need to do to prepare for surgery.
During Surgery — The surgeon and his team will give you anesthesia medicine so you don’t feel the pain. Depending on the location of the joint being replaced, the medicine may block the pain in only part of the body (regional), or it may put your whole body to sleep (general).
The joint is replaced by a prosthesis (praas-THEE-sis), most likely made of metal. The surgery normally takes 1-2 hours to complete followed by 1-2 hours to recover and become fully awake from the anesthesia medicine.
After Surgery — Although with a hip or knee replacement, you may be able to stand or walk the day of surgery, you will still experience some pain, as your muscles will be weak. The success of your surgery can depend on your therapy after you leave the hospital. A physical therapist will help the regain the motion of that joint with specific exercises and motions to strengthen the muscles around the new joint.
“For most of our patients at Lutheran Hillside Village, the most significant part of the recovery takes place during the first month,” said Robin. “There is no value in comparing yourself with anyone else. Each person has a unique recovery.”
Your joints are an important part of maintaining an active life. Don’t let pain in your joints keep you from living your life to the fullest.
Although we hope you never need elective joint surgery, REACH Rehabilitation at Lutheran Hillside Village features short-stay rehabilitation with private rooms. Call Sandy Vogel at 309-692-4600 for more information.
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