Elective Joint Replacement

• Types of elective joint replacements

  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Shoulder
• The most common indication for elective joint replacement is osteoarthritis
• Most patients that have joint replacements are over 60
• Artificial joints are built to last more than 10-15 years but may be affected by loosening, wear, and dislocation
• Some patients may require further surgery and replacement of the artificial joint at some point
• Joint replacement is major surgery
• Patients need to have the alternatives discussed before deciding to undergo surgery
• Alternatives to joint replacement

  • Analgesia
  • Steroid injections
  • Physiotherapy
• Osteoarthritis is the most common indication for elective joint replacement and is usually performed when symptoms are severe and not manageable with conservative treatments
• Other indications for joint replacement

  • Fractures
  • Septic arthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Bone tumours
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
• Options for elective joint replacement surgery

  • Total joint replacement
  • Hemiarthroplasty
  • Partial joint resurfacing
• Total Hip Replacement usually involves a lateral incision over the outer aspect of the hip and dislocating the hip joint to gain access