If
you work and your job requires little physical
exertion, you may return to it three to six weeks
after surgery. New methodologies of joint replacement
promise a quicker recovery and the possibility
of returning to work and restricted physical activity
sooner. Consult with your surgeon regarding your
particular situation. It will be as long as three
months before you can do more vigorous activities,
such as prolonged walking, standing or lifting.
Some kinds of labor, such as construction work,
may not be advisable following joint replacement.
Discuss your occupation in detail with your surgeon
if you have concerns.
Most people are able to resume driving about three to six
weeks after their surgery, depending on which joint is replaced.
You should have regained adequate muscle control for braking
and accelerating before you try to drive.
Before long, more vigorous activities such as walking or
swimming will usually be recommended to keep you healthy
and your joint mobile. Pursuits such as golf and bowling
are also good.
You will, however, need to avoid certain high-impact activities
for the rest of your life, such as jogging or high-impact
sports. Participating in such activities could put excessive
wear on your joint, causing it to loosen and become painful.
Your doctor will advise you about which sports to avoid.
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Realistic
Expectations
Most people who undergo joint replacement surgery
are dramatically better after three to six weeks and
continue to improve for several months. Most also experience
a dramatic reduction in pain at the affected joint
and a significant improvement in ability to perform
common activities. Keep in mind, however, that joint
replacement surgery will not enable you to do more
than you could before you developed arthritis. Your
surgeon will be your best guide as to what progress
you can expect, based on your specific circumstances.
Be aware that components of your artificial joint may
activate the metal detectors used for security in airports
and other locations. Tell the security staff about
your artificial joint if you trigger the alarm.
You should also let your dentist and other health professionals
know about your artificial joint. Dental work and other
surgical procedures can cause bacteria to enter the
bloodstream, making the site of your joint replacement
vulnerable to infection. You should always be given
antibiotics before dental or invasive procedures to
prevent the chance of infection.
It's impossible to predict how long a new joint will
last, since factors such as age, weight, activity
level and bone strength, among others, determine
the final
outcome. If your new joint loosens over time, it
may be necessary to repeat the surgery. However,
many people
with artificial joints have few problems fifteen
to twenty years later or even longer. It's likely
that
your new joint will bring you years of pain-free
activity. |
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