Healthcare News
How Long Does a Hip or Knee Replacement Last?
Joint replacements are generally very successful, allowing most people who have them to return to active lives free of chronic pain. But while artificial joints are designed to last a long time, they won’t last forever. This means that if you’re a young, active person considering a hip or knee replacement, there’s a possibility that you’ll need to have the same joint replaced more than once. Just how long does a knee replacement last? And how many knee replacements can you have in a lifetime?
Patients with ‘no-show’ status may have increased complication risk after THA
Patients who do not attend appointments have increased postoperative complication risk vs. patients who always attend.
More is not better: Trial finds giving more antibiotics to prevent joint replacement infections doesn't help
With the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria, experts have debated whether adding a second antibiotic, vancomycin, would be better to prevent more infection. Now a clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and led by Monash University researchers, in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeons and infectious diseases doctors, has found that the addition of vancomycin did not protect against infection and may have led to more infections and more adverse reactions for the patients.
The Best and Worst Shoes for Knee Osteoarthritis
If you’re one of the millions of Americans living with knee osteoarthritis (the wear-and-tear form of arthritis), it’s important to find a supportive pair of shoes.
Preoperative opioid use associated with chronic opioid use after THA
Results published in the Journal of Arthroplasty showed preoperative opioid use was associated with chronic opioid use after total hip arthroplasty, while surgical approach did not affect long-term opioid use.
Women who consume more alcohol exhibit higher risk for OA-related hip replacement
Among women, those who drank more alcohol were more likely to undergo total hip replacement, in a dose-dependent manner, due to osteoarthritis.
Bilateral total knee arthroplasty linked to increased complication rates
Patients undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are at an increased risk of several types of complications, as compared with matched patients undergoing unilateral TKA, reports a study in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
What not to do after knee replacement surgery
During knee replacement recovery, avoiding certain activities and behaviors is important to ensure a smooth healing process and minimize the risk of complications.
Time for a new knee? Ask these questions first
Gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision about a total knee replacement.
What is avascular necrosis and how does it affect bones?
What happens when the blood supply to your bones is somehow damaged? The condition has a name, avascular necrosis, and it can trigger the death of bone cells.