Artificial joint, Orthopedics FAQ

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Post-Operative Concerns After Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty Postoperative Care My father underwent a total knee replacement at the end of March this year. He has been consistently participating in rehabilitation since the surgery, and it has been almost four months post-operation. However, he sti...


Dr. Chen Yongxue Reply:
Hello, the swelling and pain after joint replacement surgery can vary from person to person. It is quite common within the first three months post-surgery. Using a knee brace for compression and elevating the affected limb can help improve the condition. Additionally, diligent re...

[Read More] Post-Operative Concerns After Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery


Post-Operative Hip Replacement: Addressing Stiffness and Recovery Concerns

Postoperative Issues After Hip Arthroplasty Hello, Doctor. My mother is nearly 80 years old. Last February, she fell and fractured her left leg, undergoing traditional hip joint surgery. However, over a year later, she still feels stiffness in her left leg post-surgery. She has c...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Typically, recovery after surgery takes about two to three months, and stiffness is related to the healing of soft tissues. Additionally, if the artificial joint is too tight, this phenomenon may also occur. It is advisable to consult a rehabilitation specialist for physical ther...

[Read More] Post-Operative Hip Replacement: Addressing Stiffness and Recovery Concerns


Managing Pain After Knee Replacement: Options for Seniors

Years after total knee arthroplasty, recent onset of pain? Hello Doctor, my grandmother is currently 90 years old. She underwent a total knee arthroplasty over 20 years ago and had a good recovery, experiencing only occasional discomfort with weather changes. However, she has rec...


Dr. Chen Yongxue Reply:
Hello, after 20 years of total joint replacement surgery, the likelihood of wear is quite high. 1. Is it necessary to replace the artificial joint again? 2. If surgery is not performed again, are there any methods to alleviate pain? This requires careful evaluation by a physician...

[Read More] Managing Pain After Knee Replacement: Options for Seniors


Understanding Ankle Joint Replacement: Risks and Considerations for Rheumatoid Patients

Artificial ankle joint Hello, Doctor! I have rheumatoid arthritis, and the cartilage in my ankle joint is severely worn down. I am scheduled for a joint replacement surgery, but I have some concerns: 1. The surgical options are fusion and joint replacement (the cost for one foo...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
1. You can still walk. 2. Usually not. 3. You should ask the specialist who performed your surgery; typically, edema is related to kidney issues. 4. The results of the fusion procedure are also quite good.

[Read More] Understanding Ankle Joint Replacement: Risks and Considerations for Rheumatoid Patients


Ankle Fusion vs. Artificial Joint: Which Surgery is Right for You?

Ankle fusion or ankle joint replacement? Hello Dr. Wang! I have rheumatoid arthritis, and the cartilage in my ankle is severely worn down, leading to deformity and osteoporosis. I have undergone PRP treatment once without any effect. I have a few questions: 1. Should I consider...


Dr. Wang Shouji Reply:
Hello, with a fusion of the ankle joint, the range of motion is 0, which will definitely affect gait. A prosthetic ankle joint offers a better range of motion; however, if osteoporosis is severe, there is indeed a higher risk of dislocation. Additionally, patients with rheumatic ...

[Read More] Ankle Fusion vs. Artificial Joint: Which Surgery is Right for You?


Persistent Knee Pain After Replacement: Causes and Solutions

Knee replacement surgery has been performed, but there is still pain? Hello Doctor, I am inquiring on behalf of my brother-in-law. He underwent knee replacement surgery in May 2020, and he has been experiencing pain for the past year, which has recently worsened significantly. He...


Dr. You Dianqi Reply:
Hello: I would like to clarify your question first. Generally, artificial joints do not have specific steel pins; are you sure the doctor mentioned steel pins? Do you have any images for reference? Before I respond, I must fully understand the issue. 1: The term "guarantee&q...

[Read More] Persistent Knee Pain After Replacement: Causes and Solutions


Understanding Leg Length Discrepancy After Hip Replacement Surgery

Left total hip arthroplasty? Hello Doctor: I was in a car accident last December and suffered a comminuted fracture of my left hip joint. I had to undergo surgery to insert screws, but the fracture kept displacing, so I had no choice but to have a hip replacement. However, after ...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
There are several reasons for leg length discrepancy after total hip replacement surgery, often related to the length of the bones. It is essential to ensure that both sides are of equal length when implanting the artificial joint. Sometimes, if the artificial joint is placed too...

[Read More] Understanding Leg Length Discrepancy After Hip Replacement Surgery


Understanding Hip Replacement: Addressing Uneven Angles and Recovery

Artificial joint Hello, Doctor! My mother had a hip replacement on her right leg six months ago, but now the angles of her legs are different. The leg with the artificial hip has an external rotation of about 140 to 150 degrees. A week after the surgery, she experienced significa...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
The primary purpose of joint replacement surgery is to relieve pain. If there is a slight valgus deformity, it may be related to the angle at which the artificial joint was placed. Rehabilitation can help improve this condition to some extent.

[Read More] Understanding Hip Replacement: Addressing Uneven Angles and Recovery


Post-Surgery Infection in Knee Replacement: Understanding Antibiotic Options and Treatment Challenges

Postoperative Infection after Total Knee Arthroplasty My father has undergone three total knee replacements and two debridement surgeries on his left knee. I have some concerns and would like to seek clarification from the physician. 1. Do antibiotic prescriptions for Staphyloc...


Dr. Cai Shanglin Reply:
1. Different hospitals have varying medication protocols; it is advisable to choose a trusted institution for treatment. 2. Infections in artificial joints sometimes do not yield detectable bacteria; at this stage, treatment options include antibiotics and further debridement. ...

[Read More] Post-Surgery Infection in Knee Replacement: Understanding Antibiotic Options and Treatment Challenges


Managing Post-Operative Pain and Weakness After Knee Replacement Surgery

Postoperative care after total knee arthroplasty? My mother had a knee replacement surgery in March of this year, and it has been nearly six months since then. However, she still experiences 1) severe pain (sharp pain) at times, 2) weakness while walking and a feeling of the knee...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
The most likely cause of pain after total knee arthroplasty is infection, followed by loosening of the implant. If neither of these is the cause, it may be due to insufficient rehabilitation, muscle weakness, or poor range of motion, leading to mobility issues. A blood test can b...

[Read More] Managing Post-Operative Pain and Weakness After Knee Replacement Surgery


Post-Surgery Concerns: Understanding Hip Replacement and Varicose Veins

After a hemiarthroplasty, the varicose veins became more pronounced? Dear Dr. Lee, I hope this message finds you well. I am a 60-year-old patient who suffered a femoral neck fracture due to a fall. The doctor recommended a partial hip replacement, and I have three questions post...


Dr. Li Yongheng Reply:
1. Femoral neck fractures that require a partial hip replacement are covered by health insurance regulations. As long as excessive weight and overactivity are avoided, the likelihood of needing a second replacement due to wear is low. 2. Postoperatively, due to poor muscle cont...

[Read More] Post-Surgery Concerns: Understanding Hip Replacement and Varicose Veins


Understanding Hip Joint Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip joint pain Hello, doctor. My mother is in her fifties and had surgery to replace her left hip joint due to avascular necrosis over a year ago. She still experiences pain from time to time, sometimes even worse than before the surgery, and often needs to use a walker to get ar...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Persistent pain after joint replacement surgery may indicate infection, loosening, improper positioning of the artificial joint, or other issues. It is advisable to return for a follow-up appointment for an examination to identify the cause, which is essential for effective treat...

[Read More] Understanding Hip Joint Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery


Post-Surgery Complications: Misalignment of Artificial Joint and Next Steps

Postoperative Issues After Joint Replacement Surgery In early July, I underwent surgery for a joint replacement. After the surgery, I had X-rays and blood tests, all of which showed no issues. I was hospitalized for about a week for recovery before being discharged. After dischar...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Your artificial joint is either a hip joint or a knee joint, and typically, improvement is seen two to three months after surgery. When you describe the artificial joint as being misaligned, is it sinking or loosening? This may require another surgery. As for whether there was ne...

[Read More] Post-Surgery Complications: Misalignment of Artificial Joint and Next Steps


Post-Fracture Surgery: When to Remove Pins and Assess Healing

Removal of metal screws after fracture surgery? Hello Dr. Lee, I fell at the end of 2016 and sustained a comminuted fracture of the right radius, after which I had steel nails and plates inserted. At that time, the doctor mentioned that if healing did not go well, I might need to...


Dr. Li Yongheng Reply:
Hello, you have a comminuted fracture of the right distal radius. Even if the fracture has not completely healed post-surgery, wrist arthroplasty is typically not performed, and currently, wrist arthroplasty is not common. Therefore, I recommend that you seek another larger hospi...

[Read More] Post-Fracture Surgery: When to Remove Pins and Assess Healing


Post-Total Hip Replacement: Essential Guidelines for Recovery and Care

Total Hip Replacement I underwent surgery on May 7, 2016, for a "right pelvic fracture with associated right hip dislocation," which led to post-traumatic arthritis nearly two years later, resulting in a total hip arthroplasty on March 27, 2018. I have some questions as...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
1. No. 2. Rehabilitation is necessary and is usually well understood. 3. Strength training for the muscles helps to stabilize the joints. 4. Driving should be avoided for six weeks post-surgery; the seat should be elevated to prevent dislocation. 5. Dental treatments may cause tr...

[Read More] Post-Total Hip Replacement: Essential Guidelines for Recovery and Care


Managing Pain and Weakness After Knee Replacement Surgery: A Guide

Artificial joint Hello Doctor, I would like to ask about my grandfather who underwent his second knee replacement surgery in October of the year before last. His recovery after the surgery was quite good, but later he often complained of knee pain and weakness. He has returned fo...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
It is advisable to visit another hospital for further examination, as the symptoms of pain and weakness may be related to joint issues or could be associated with spinal degeneration.

[Read More] Managing Pain and Weakness After Knee Replacement Surgery: A Guide


Can Walking Be Possible Without a Hip Joint After Removal?

Is it possible to walk after completely removing an artificial hip joint without replacing it with a new one? Hello Dr. Shih, my father is 78 years old and is on dialysis. A couple of years ago, after suffering from inflammation of a prosthetic hip joint that he had for over twen...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
1. You are correct, but walking is still possible with the use of assistive devices (this surgical method is called the Girdlestone operation). 2. This approach is available; if an infection occurs and the artificial joint cannot be healed or preserved, it can be managed this wa...

[Read More] Can Walking Be Possible Without a Hip Joint After Removal?


Impact of Hip Replacement on Pregnancy and Fetal Health

Does having a hip replacement affect pregnancy? Hello Doctor: I underwent a right hip joint replacement due to avascular necrosis in August 2015 and a left hip joint replacement in August 2016 (both with ceramic prostheses). I became pregnant in March 2017. Will this have any imp...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Ceramic artificial joints typically have a lower risk of heavy metal release, which does not affect pregnancy or the fetus.

[Read More] Impact of Hip Replacement on Pregnancy and Fetal Health


Can I Use Heat Therapy at Home After Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery?

Can I apply heat therapy at home after surgery? After recently undergoing hip joint replacement surgery due to a car accident, is it safe to apply heat at home? Additionally, my grandmother had knee joint replacement surgery and has been using ice packs in the hospital; can she s...


Dr. Cai Shanglin Reply:
Depending on the situation, if there is persistent swelling, ice therapy should be the primary approach, and this applies to the knee joint as well. Once the swelling has subsided, you can switch to heat therapy. Regarding heat conduction, ceramic hip joints still contain metal c...

[Read More] Can I Use Heat Therapy at Home After Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery?


Understanding Hip Joint Pain After Partial and Total Replacement Surgery

Artificial joint Dear Dr. Shi, Thank you for taking the time to read my question amidst your busy schedule. I underwent a hemiarthroplasty for avascular necrosis of the right hip in 1997 due to a fracture, and in 2008, I had a total hip arthroplasty (THA) at Chang Gung Memorial ...


Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
1. Postoperative thigh pain after total hip arthroplasty is commonly observed clinically and is usually due to stress shielding caused by the femoral stem of the prosthesis, which can lead to a portion of the femur becoming less dense, resulting in pain. However, this is typicall...

[Read More] Understanding Hip Joint Pain After Partial and Total Replacement Surgery


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