1. What is Total Hip Replacement?
A total hip replacement is a procedure in which the surgeon removes a painful hip joint and inserts an artificial joint (prosthesis) specially designed for this purpose.
2. What is Total Knee Replacement?
A total knee replacement is a procedure in which the doctor removes a painful knee joint and replaces it with an artificial one (prostheis) that has been specially designed for this purpose.
3. Do you only treat knees and hips?
The practice focuses primarily on hip and knee surgeries, which include total replacements and revisions. Dr. Lavernia also performs shoulder replacement and some types of fracture surgeries.
4. How long is recuperation?
Recovery varies with each person. You will use a walker for four weeks after the operation. Most people gradually increase their activities. More active sports, such as singles tennis and jogging, are not recommended.
After discharge, there is usually no need for a nursing home or live-in companion. Some patients who live alone like the convenience of staying at a rehab center for a few days after they leave the hospital.
5. Are there complications?
As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications, but complications after knee or hip replacement are rare…driving on an Interstate highway is probably more dangerous.
The possible complications include infections, blood clots, damage to nearby blood vesses, reactions to the anesthesia, and thigh pain, among others.
6. Who should have a knee or hip replacement?
When the knee or hip pain severely limits your ability to walk, work or perform even simple activities, knee or hip replacement should be considered.
7. Is there an alternative to replacement?
Knee or hip replacement is only recommended after careful diagnosis of your joint problem. Arthroscopic surgery is not helpful once arthritis is advanced. Also, it is not likely that anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone injections will give you the same long-term relief as either knee or hip replacement.
8.What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. In this disorder, the affected joint experiences a progressive loss of cartilage, the slippery material that cushions the ends of bones. As a result, the bone beneath the cartilage undergoes changes that lead to bony overgrowth. The tissue that lines the joint can become inflamed, the ligaments can loosen, and the associated muscles weaken. The patient then experiences pain when the joint is used.
9. Can osteoarthritis be resolved with medical therapy?
In the early stages of arthritis, successful alternative treatments may include medication, exercise and arthroscopic surgery. However, since anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections do not change the progression of the disease, these conservative options eventually become ineffective. Joint replacement is a long-term answer for pain relief and returning to an active lifestyle.
10. What happens when joint replacements wears out?
Today most artificial joints last 15 to 20 years under normal wear, but they can wear out sooner if subjected to vigorous activity. When a joint wears out, loosens or develops a problem, it can be replaced in a joint revision.
11. What materials are used for the arthroplasty?
In general, all joint replacements use a combination of materials. These generally include cobalt chrome which is a very high strength hard alloy. The other metal commonly used is titanium. This is either in a commercially pure form or as an alloy with aluminum and vanadium. The third material utilized in joint replacement is usually ultra high molecular weight polyethylene plastic. Recent improvements, both in the type of plastic used as well as in the processing of the plastic, should result in a reduction in the wear of the component currently inserted in comparison to those that were inserted five to ten years ago. There has been no documented case of specific allergy to these materials.
12. What causes osteoarthritis?
Many experts now believe that osteoarthritis is a disorder that results from a genetic susceptibility coupled with injuries to the joint. In spite of years of research, there is no a simple answer to this question. Many factors probably cause the initial cartilage damage that sets off the destructive process. It remains unknown why particular joints are affected by osteoarthritis (OA) if they have not suffered any previous injury or disease.
13. Can I have surgery on both knees at the same time?
This can be done. However, in most elective cases, it is best to stage the surgeries at least 1 week apart to allow the patient to recover.
14. What is the recovery time for most procedures?
You may stay in the hospital about 3 to 6 days, depending on how fast your knee or hip heals. When you leave the hospital, you can go to a short term rehab facility or go home. After you go home from the hospital, your physical therapist may visit you for in-home treatments. Your therapist will review your exercise program, continue working with you on your precautions, and suggest safety tips. The visiting nurse or therapist will suggest ways to make your home environment safe.
15.Will my hip or knee replacement set off the metal detectors at the airport and governmental buildings?
Most likely, yes. Current technology will detect these very often. We do offer cards to notify officials that you are a patient who has an implanted metallic device. However, these cards and other materials we provide can be easily counterfeited therefore most officials will disregard these and use the metal detecting wand over the site of the surgery to ensure that there is no other metallic device in that area other than the joint replacement.
16. How long has Dr. Carlos Lavernia been in practice?
He’s been practicing for more than 12 years.
17. Is he a board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon?
Dr. Lavernia is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedics.
18. What hospitals are you affiliated with?
Dr. Lavernia is affiliated to Mercy Hospital, Cedars Medical Center and Doctor’s Hospital, all located in south Florida.
19. What are your office hours?
The Orthopaedic Institute is open weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM.
20. Do all surgeries require general anesthesia?
In general the anesthesia provided will depend on the patient's willingness and the anesthesiologist’s recommendation on what best fits the scenario. We have an experienced team for local and regional block anesthesia. Your surgical anesthesia will be discussed in detail with anesthesiologist Dr. Juan Ros during your pre-operative visit. |
