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Knee Replacement

Myth Busters in Joint Replacement

Common Joint Replacement Myths Busted!

Per the latest statistics published by the Indian Society of Hip and Knee Surgeries Registry, a total of 10,407 hip replacements and 129,371 knee replacements were reported from October 2006 to March 2017 by 150 surgeons.  The demand for joint replacement surgery is on the rise. These surgeries have become more and more common because they offer a quick fix to ailing joints. However, people in line for a  joint replacement surgery often continue to assume a lot about the procedure around pain, medication, recovery and recuperation. Typically, the surgeon will help navigate through the number of questions and doubts the patient may have. Here are some common joint replacement myths that you can quickly fact-check with the help of this article:

Myth – Joint replacement surgery is not permanent.

Fact – In general, many people are afraid of getting knee replacement surgery. They think they have to lie in bed for an extended period after the surgery, which is painful. After surgery, one feels it will hamper day-to-day activities such as walking, running, stair climbing etc. 

These are all misconceptions!

Total knee surgery is a boon for the patient suffering from Osteoarthritis. It improves the quality of life as one gets relief from knee pain and sees a significant improvement in mobility. Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common bone and joint surgeries. 

Knee replacement requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.

With modern technology, the patient should do activities daily after surgery. One can go walking, can go to washrooms etc. The faster one does it, the better the recovery will be. 

Yes, initially, there will be a little bit of pain, but you can overcome that with time and with the help of a pain management/Physio person.

Myth – You’ll only need physical therapy after joint replacement surgery

Fact – This is another myth that people tend to believe. But, in reality, physical therapy is often recommended for several weeks after joint replacement surgery. For example, knee joint replacement patients are often advised to do static and dynamic stretching exercises for at least two weeks after the surgery is completed. This is because the muscles around the knee need time to heal and get stronger again. Once the muscles have been stretched and strengthened, you can start doing more active exercises like running. Many hip joint replacement patients are also advised to do simple exercises like walking and swimming for a few weeks after the surgery is over. The hip joint is the largest joint in the body. And it’s surrounded by muscles that can be very weak after joint replacement surgery. Therefore, you’ll want to do some simple, gentle exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joints so that they don’t get too weak.

Myth – Joint replacement surgery only works for severe arthritis.

Fact – This is another common joint replacement myth. Most types of arthritis do not lead to severe pain and inflammation that leads to arthritic joints becoming severely damaged. In fact, about one-third of all arthritis cases are caused by other medical conditions or injuries. Joint replacement surgery is performed in these cases as well.

Myth – Joint replacement is only for elderly people.

Fact – This joint replacement surgery myth needs to be busted. Joint replacement surgery is not something that is only recommended for elderly people. In fact, it’s one of the most common surgeries performed today. As a matter of fact, the joint replacement procedure is already available as a third option for treating damaged joints. This means that it can be done in patients of any age.

Myth – Joint replacement is too expensive for person. the average

Fact – This is another myth that’s busted. Joint replacement surgery is one of the safest surgeries that a person can undergo. In fact, some joint replacement surgeries are now offered as a government-funded program for those who meet certain health criteria. These surgeries are typically performed by a doctor who does not charge anything upfront. There are no out-of-pocket expenses like insurance premiums or copayments.

Myth – Joint Replacement Recovery Time Is Incredibly Long

Fact – activities and lead a much more active life. Most people are able to walk just a few hours after joint replacement surgery is completed. They’re not able to run and do more vigorous activities right away. But, within a few days, most patients are back to their normal, active lifestyles. In most cases, full recovery from joint replacement surgery is complete in between one to three months. That’s it! Ready to feel better and not worry about hip or knee pain? Schedule your joint replacement surgery consultation today.

Myth: Bedridden for weeks after the surgery

Fact: This is a false notion. In fact, your surgeon will advise and encourage you to walk or climb a few stairs the same day or the day after surgery. This light activity is suggested to help warm up the muscles and reduce any chance of blot clot formation, which is not good. Typically, hip surgery patients can walk without the walker after a few days and discontinue the use of the walking cane after a few weeks.

Myth: Joint Replacement Surgery means no more sports

Fact: This is not true at all. Initially, during the recovery period, the patient will be asked to stay away from any intensive and strenuous physical sport and activity but they can always pick up other low-impact games and sports like cycling, tennis, golf, swimming and walking.

Overall, most patients report feeling better after joint replacement surgery. They can resume their normal

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Hernia

New-age trends in Hernia Repair Surgery

Hernia surgery is typically a very routine procedure to repair the hernia. In most cases, surgery becomes the only option to treat hernia since it does not get healed on its own. A surgeon performs incisions in the patient’s abdomen, removes the hernia sac or pushes it back into the abdomen, and closes the incision. The process is repeated on another side of the body if needed. The size of the incisions depends on the type of hernia surgery performed. In the case of open surgery, the cut is made at the location of the hernia into the body. In Laparoscopic Surgery, tiny holes are made to insert the surgical tools to perform the surgery. Robotic surgery is a newer technique of hernia surgery. It is similar to Laparoscopic Surgery except that in Robotic Surgery, the surgeon performs the surgical operations with the help of three dimensional images of the abdominal cavity, and robotic arms perform the procedure controlled by the surgeon from his console.

Robotic surgery offers surgeons a new way to approach these operations. There are several advantages of robotic surgery over traditional surgery. The first and foremost advantage is the precision, access to difficult locations inside the cavity, 3D view, motion control, AI-enabled decision making, comfort etc. and many more.

Robotic hernia repair is one of the surgical procedures using a robot to repair a hernia.

Advantages of having new-age techniques Hernia Surgery

Reduced infection: According to several studies, robot-assisted surgery can reduce the risk of infection by up to 80%, which is a common cause of surgical site infection-related death among patients undergoing traditional abdominal surgeries.

Reduced risk of injury: With traditional surgery, surgeons aren’t always sure if they injure a healthy organ. Robotic surgery, on the other hand, doesn’t have these risks.

Fewer surgeries: Another advantage of robotic surgery is the reduction in surgeries performed by surgeons. One study found that robotic hernia repair can cut the need for additional surgeries by as much as 86%.

Greater precision: Robotic Surgery can often achieve greater precision and accuracy than traditional surgery. This can result in less damage to a healthy organ and a shorter hospital stay.

Factors like the cost and availability of robotic systems currently limit their use in many countries. However, these costs may come down in the foreseeable future, allowing surgeons to perform more procedures with robotic technology. Also, robotic systems need to be properly maintained to function properly. This can be a challenge in some countries. The key advantage of robotic surgery is the precision and accuracy provided by the robot. This requires surgeons to use different techniques, which can take some time to master.

Steps followed by surgeons to perform robotic hernia repair

The laparoscope is the key to performing robotic hernia repair. The laparoscope is a thin tube with a camera at the end. A surgeon makes a small abdomen incision and inserts the laparoscope. Once the incision is made, the surgeon can view the abdomen and perform the surgery as if inside the patient’s body. To allow the surgeon to have a good view of the inside of the abdominal cavity, some space is created by inflating the abdomen using harmless gas. The tiny camera attached at the end of the laparoscope projects three-dimensional images of the three dimensional images on the screen. The robotic system used for robotic hernia repair includes a robotic arm and a surgical tool. The surgeon controls the robotic arm using a computer. After the incision is made, the surgeon can control the robotic arm to separate the hernia from the tissues around it. The surgeon gently removes the hernia sac or pushes it back into the abdomen. He then closes the incision.

FAQs

Can a hernia be repaired with robotic Surgery?

Robotic Surgery for Hernia Repair Robotic surgery is a new-age, state-of-the-art technique for repairing hernias where the surgeon is seated at a console and is aided by a robot for precision while the surgeon controls and handles the surgical instruments from the console. The room for error is massively reduced while the process offers three-dimensional images of the abdomen and ensures more minor scars and less pain.

What is the best way to repair a hernia?

With medical technology achieving significant leaps and bounds in terms of innovations with robotic and minimally invasive approaches, surgeons today can perform hernia repair surgery through tiny incisions resulting in quicker healing time, less infection, and more precision, unlike the large incisions associated with traditional Open Surgery.

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Suture

Advantages of Using Antibacterial Sutures in Wound Closure

Wounds can be extremely painful. These wounds can also pose a health risk if they become inflamed or infected. The cause of the suture getting infected could be bacteria, especially those that are naturally found on the skin and Atmosphere. Thus, wound closure may end up promoting bacteria proliferation which can lead to wound complications. As a result, operating doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals have created ways to reduce surgical site infection, speed up healing, and prevent any of these healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs) from spreading further. One of the ways they have done this is by using antibacterial sutures (ABS) in wound. This closure procedures article explores the advantages of using antibacterial sutures in wound closure procedures. There are various ways and techniques to treat wounds – sutures, staples, non-surgical medications, etc. 

What Is a Suture?

A suture, also known as a stitch, is a very thin, long thread that is twisted together to form a single strand in case of braided structure or comprises of single thread called Monofilament. Suturing is a method of tying off blood vessels to prevent bleeding and hold a wound together till the natural healing process is sufficiently established.

What is an Antibacterial Suture?

Any wound, by and large, are may get contaminated at the time of closure. As a solution to this problem, an antibacterial suture is a surgical innovation which reduces the risk of Surgical Site Infection (SSI). Antibacterial sutures are coated with Antibacterial agents and other agents containing antibacterial properties. They may help in healing wounds faster by significantly reducing the risk of surgical site infections. Why do you need to use an antibacterial suture? We need to use antibacterial suture because bacteria are the leading cause of many types of infections in wounds. You can prevent these infections by covering the wound surfaces with a substance that kills them. An antibacterial suture (Absorbable) is a prosthetic implant into the wound, making it impossible for the bacteria to grow on the surface. You may then cover the wound with a bandage.

Types of Wounds that Can Use Antibacterial Sutures

The first thing you should know about using antibacterial sutures in wound closure procedures is that they can be used on various types of wounds. Antibacterial sutures can be used

  • To close the skin tissue after the surgical procedure
  • To Ligate blood vessels during the planned surgical procedures

In this case, we are referring to regular cuts and injuries & suturing is done in a sterile atmosphere.

How an Antibacterial Suture works ?

Ordinary sutures may pose a risk of infection if required OT Protocols are not followed. Sometimes, an already sutured wound can rupture and burst open if the healing is not complete – this happens due to bacterial infection. If a wound is not sutured correctly, this is an additional complication and cosmetic loss. The Antibacterial coating on the Antibacterial sutures acts as an additional shield against the bacterial growth.

Advantages of using an Antibacterial suture

The layperson needs to know why a surgeon uses an antibacterial or antimicrobial suture technology in their clinical practice. There is enough evidence and data in surgical studies and peer-reviewed journals that an antibacterial suture is a huge clinical benefit. It has a purpose in its design to add value to risk reduction strategies for any SSIs.

  • Prevents Infection – One of the main advantages of using an antibacterial suture is that it prevents infections in a wound. Bacterial infections can be very dangerous. If they go untreated, they can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is an extreme form of blood poisoning that is very dangerous and can quickly lead to death. Preventing these infections means less chance of them spreading throughout your body and causing severe health complications. 
  • Patient Safety – Antibacterial sutures contribute significantly to patient safety by reducing microbicidal activity, which can be both internal and external, enhancing clinical effectiveness and being cost-effective. Antibacterial coated sutures create a Zone of Inhibition around the suture site preventing Bacterial colonization. Hence, antibacterial sutures become the need of the hour to reduce bacterial adherence to surgical sutures.
  • Effective Results – As an invasive innovative technology, antibacterial sutures have stood the test of time ever since they were introduced in the early 1990s. Since their introduction and usage in wound closures, there has been significantly less wound dehiscence, delayed healing, emergence of resistant organisms, toxicity, or allergic reactions.
  • Economically viable – In paediatric and adult surgical procedures, antibacterial suture technology is economically effective and viable. The patient’s Length of Stay may reduce due to the wound being closed with the help of Antibacterial sutures. An added advantage of Antibacterial coating helps in preventing bacterial growth along the line of suture thus preventing unpredicted wound healing.

Conclusion

Globally recognized health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the American College of Surgeons & Surgical Infection Society (ACS & SIS) have recommended the use of antibacterial sutures like triclosan-coated sutures to prevent surgical site infection (SSI). Their guidelines on reducing the risk of SSI are general to antibacterial triclosan-coated sutures, not specific to any one brand. Also, using ABS for skin closure in surgical patients displayed a reduced risk of developing surgical site infections and postoperative complications. 

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Knee Replacement

Understanding the Causes That Damage Joint Cartilage

Joint cartilage when damaged, can lead to pain and even disability. There are several causes of joint cartilage damage, including physical damage, infection, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chemical damage, and infection. Understanding the causes of joint cartilage damage is essential for a good understanding of the condition. This helps in developing a personalized treatment plan and also keeping track of any changes in the condition.

What is Joint Cartilage?

Cartilage is a strong, organic and flexible tissue found throughout the body. It covers the surfaces of the joints between bones. It is an intermediate layer that reduces friction between bones and acts as a shock absorber. Type II collagen, which is a major structural protein in the human body is one of the components of the cartilage. Although cartilage is not bone, it does have cells called Chondrocytes just like the Osteocytes cells, found in bone tissue. Some types of cartilage are found at the ends of fingers and toes, in the ears, and in the nose.

Causes of Joint Cartilage Damage

Physical Damage

The causes of joint cartilage damage can be broadly grouped into physical and chemical damage. Physical damage to joint cartilage occurs when the cartilage is hit, scraped or injured by something like a bump or a fall. This might cause damage to the cartilage and also bring about a condition known as cartilage erosion, which leads to joint cartilage damage. In another form of physical damage to joint cartilage, the cartilage might be hit too severely by a hardobject like a ball or a bat, causing the tissue to bruise. This form of damage is reversible, but it still has an impact on the joint.

Chemical Damage

Joint cartilage is susceptible to chemical damage due to various reasons, such as an excessive amount of friction in the joint, certain medications, high fever, certain infections, and even certain types of surgeries. In the case of excessive friction, the cartilage can wear out, leading to joint damage. Excessive friction can also be due to a piece of bone or a joint capsule that is too thick, or that is out of place. If left untreated, this condition can lead to cartilage damage. Certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and even some types of birth control pills, can damage joint cartilage. High fever can also damage joint cartilage. This is because the body’s immune response to the infection causes an increase in joint fluid pressure, which damages the cartilage.

Infection

An infection in the joint cartilage can lead to damage to the tissue. Infections like bacterial and viral infections might spread due to injury to the joint cartilage in the form of a fall or a bump. It might also occur as a result of tissue impaction with foreign objects, like a piece of wood or even a splinter from your clothing. Bacterial infections are the most common type of infection that affects joint cartilage.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is a condition that is caused by degeneration of the joint cartilage. It is specifically caused by aging, obesity, certain injuries, and even certain types of arthritis. OA is the most common cause of joint cartilage damage. It is one of the most common joint conditions seen in the elderly. On average, the condition affects two out of every ten people aged over sixty-five. OA is characterized by the progressive loss of joint cartilage, leading to abnormal bone growth on the cartilage surface. This abnormal bone growth leads to increased joint surface friction, resulting in pain and disability.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune dissorder that affects the joints. It is characterized by joint cartilage and bone inflammation, leading to joint damage and pain. People with this condition are likely to experience joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and even disability. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common cause of joint cartilage damage. It is also one of the most difficult conditions to treat, as it usually does not respond well to medications. However, there are several surgeries available to help alleviate joint pain and disability.

Conclusion

While joint tissue exists everywhere in the human body, the extent to which it functions varies greatly between individuals. The function of joint cartilage depends on its structure and how tightly linked it is with other parts of your anatomy. When functioning properly, it provides stability to many joints within your body. For instance, moving your arm up and down repeatedly will place great stress on your elbow as well as other joints within that limb, helping to keep it stable while it undergoes these movements. An estimated 300 million people worldwide are affected by joint issues at some point in their lives. Hence, it becomes very important we look into the causes that can damage these joint cartilages as it provides stability, reduces the impact of movements, and helps protect the joint surfaces from damage. It is vital to your health and well-being, as it prevents your bones from rubbing together too much and causing damage.

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Knee Replacement

Use of AI and Robotic Technology in Joint replacement

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part in technological advancement in healthcare. AI significantly impacts many areas of the healthcare ecosystem, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. Orthopedics, among all branches of medical specialties, is an area where surgeons have an array of new tools and assistants in the form of robots. Even though research is still around the success rate and superiority of robotic replacement surgery, the tech adoption has been very swift and global. Very soon, we will see exponential growth in robotic-assisted replacement surgeries that will outnumber manual knee replacement surgeries in a very short time. Patient concerns are mainly related to the procedure, recovery time, safety, costs, etc. 

What is Joint Replacement?

Joint replacement is a specialized procedure where artificial joints are implanted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It has been used as a solution for joint damage, especially in older people with osteoporosis and those who are injured frequently. This surgery is also effective in treating people with arthritis or arthritis associated with other joint diseases like polytraumatic arthritis or psoriasis. Some of the most common joints that are replaced include the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Joint replacement can be used to treat pain and restore function after a joint has been severely injured or due to a chronic joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Artificial joints can be made from various materials, including metal alloys, plastic, and bio-implants like ceramic and polyethylene. This article will discuss the future of joint replacement and AI, why it’s important, and what can be done to improve it?

Impact of AI in Joint Replacement Surgery

In joint replacement surgeries, robots typically assist with pre-surgery planning, intraoperative execution, monitoring and assessing complications, and any short-term or long-term outcomes. Robotic assistance in such surgeries can expand to using the computer vision model, sensors application, and feedback and loop execution, all of which will greatly help the surgeon for technical precision. 

Robotics with imaging is frequently used for 3D reconstruction, comparison of bone registration and ligament evaluation, performing bone resection, and collecting feedback. This leads to fewer mistakes and less damage to the soft tissues of the knee, as well as betters the implant alignment and corrects any flexion-extension gap and gap asymmetry. The fact that it predicts patient outcomes is an exciting prospect for both the patient and the surgeon. It promotes efficiency and faster healing times, improves precision and accuracy, personalizes patient care, and results in fewer complications. AI helps in surgical decision-making and eliminating risk factors and human-driven errors.

How can AI improve Joint Replacement?

AI can use genetic data to help select the best type of joint replacement for each patient. This would help reduce the number of patients who receive incorrect treatment, helping to improve the overall quality of care. AI can also be used to help doctors identify when a patient is at risk of developing a dangerous complication. This could include monitoring the health of a patient’s joint to identify any potential problem, like excessive wear on the joint.

The Future of Joint Replacement and AI

There is a constant effort to improvise the technology, learn from mistakes, and adapt to ensure that AI tools support surgeons with precision in their medical decisions and reduce human error. We are looking at a future with next-generation robots with advanced machine-learning algorithms capable of performing replacement surgeries with minimal human intervention. The impact of AI on the targeted segment will be huge as well. One area that can benefit from AI is joint replacement. 

Conclusion

Artificial joints/ Implants have been used for a long time now. The future of joint replacement, however, could be very interesting. AI could significantly improve the treatment of joint damage by automating a larger part of the process. This would allow doctors to spend more time on actual diagnosis and treatment, leaving less time wasted on administrative tasks. Patients who undergo joint replacement would be able to receive an AI-integrated treatment, like a virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR) treatment. AI could also be used to help select the right type of joint replacement for a patient based on their genetic profile. Researchers are focusing on newer technology for designing implants for  joint replacement with advanced and more biocompatible  material. The results of these studies can be helpful for the future of joint replacement.

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