Oct 21, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sarah Ellis, (303) 765-6484, sarahellis@centura.org
Health News Update: Arthritis Surgery More Common in Younger Patients
DENVER (Oct. 21, 2009) – An estimated 46 million Americans, or one in six, suffer from arthritis, a debilitating disease that is the leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone.
Douglas A. Dennis, MD, co-medical director for The Porter Center for Joint Replacement, is an innovative joint replacement orthopedic surgeon. When describing cartilage that should be at the ends of the joints, Dr. Dennis says to think of the end of a chicken bone, where the glossy, white end is the cartilage, and to think of a bone with arthritis as a bone without the white, glossy tip. “Degeneration of the cartilage is what causes arthritis,” says Dr. Dennis, explaining that, without the cushion of cartilage, bones grind against each other, causing pain.
Many patients may feel relief from non-steroidal pain medications, starting a weight control/reduction program, or changing or reducing activities that put a strain on their arthritis. For some patients, surgery may help to relieve pain and improve function. For patients with hip or knee pain that prevents them from working comfortably, or patients with the inability to walk more than a few blocks without pain, or pain that keeps patients awake at night, surgery may provide a solution.
In 2003, according to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, an estimated 800,000 people underwent either hip or knee replacement surgery in the U.S. While doctors are serving a majority of people over the age of 65, the fastest growing segment is younger patients (40-65 years of age) seeking solutions to their joint pain to maintain their active lifestyles. New implant designs, better implant materials and more precise surgical techniques will hopefully provide improved flexibility and function as well as longer lasting implants for younger patients.
Total joint replacement surgery involves resurfacing of an arthritic joint with synthetic materials, to basically cap the surface of the joint so there is no bone grinding against bone. The replacement joints are made of materials including cobalt chromium alloy, titanium alloy, silicone and ceramics. Ceramics pose a slight risk because the material may break, however, it’s estimated that only four cases in 10,000 experience a break. The vast majority of implants are metal with plastic socket/lining; in conventional hip replacement surgery, the most traditional material used is a metal ball and a plastic socket.
Hip surgery technology has come a long way. High-tech bone cement is used to secure the implants into the bone, which cures in 12-14 minutes. Many surgeons are now using total hip sockets that feature a more porous coating, resembling a Brillo pad, which enables the bone to grow into it, thus anchoring the implant into the bone.
For arthritic knees that have had bone erosion over time, many patients are either bow-legged or knock-kneed, often having an awkward and uncomfortable gait. In total knee replacement surgery, a synthetic material called polyethylene is used to replace the cartilage that has worn away. There are many other state-of-the-art technologies used in today’s surgeries, including computer-assisted surgery, which an orthopedic surgeon can recommend.
Having a total joint replacement surgery means an average of a two to three-day hospital stay; use of a walker or crutches for about four weeks; and a cane for one to two weeks. Typically, Dr. Dennis says, patients can resume all normal activities by three months, but this depends on the patient’s weight, activity level and course of treatment.
Porter Adventist Hospital celebrated Bone & Joint Week, Oct. 12-16. The orthopedic doctors at The Porter Center for Joint Replacement are renowned for their expertise. Performing more than 1,000 joint surgeries each year as well as training surgeons around the world, they are international leaders in joint replacement surgery. Each doctor is dedicated to staying on top of the latest treatments and technological advances – often leading the way and conducting the latest research on joint technology and surgical techniques. Their findings have been published in noted medical journals and they lecture at seminars around the world.
About Porter Adventist Hospital
Founded in 1930, Porter Adventist Hospital is a full service, 368-bed acute-care facility located in the University of Denver/Harvard Park area of Denver. Known for its compassionate care and the latest technology, Porter is designated a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is rated a 100 Top Hospital. As a referral center for complex medicine and surgery patients/cases, Porter specializes in cardiac care, cancer care, joint replacement, spinal care and transplant. Porter is recognized by several national rating agencies as providing some of the top-rated quality of care in the nation. Porter is a not-for-profit hospital sponsored by Adventist Health System and is a member of Centura Health, Colorado’s largest health care provider.
For more information about Porter Adventist Hospital, visit www.porterhospital.org or the Media Room at http://porter.mediaroom.com
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