Page 10 - JacksonHospital

You can usually return to a high level of activ-ity after joint replacement surgery, reports the ACR. But it takes some time to recover, and you have to do your part to aid the healing process.

“In the past 10 years, techniques and in-strumentation have improved early surgical outcomes and enhanced early post-op pain

Dr. Manning said.

ypical hospital stay after surgery is

two to four days. For hip or knee replacements, you usu-ally need to use crutches for up to two weeks and a cane after that until you build up strength in your new joint. Physical therapy can also help you regain strength.

Most patients have some temporary pain in the replaced joint because the surround-ing muscles are weak from inactivity and the tissues are healing. How much pain you ex-perience and how long it lasts depend on the type of surgery and how well you follow the rehabilitation program recommended by your doctor.

Exercise is an important part of the recov-ery process. Your surgeon can recommend an exercise program that best fts your needs. You may be permitted to take part in light activities, such as playing golf or walking. High-impact and joint-overloading activities—such as run-ning, heavy lifting or jumping—are generally discouraged once you have a joint replaced.

Depending on your age, you may need to have a second total joint replacement procedure performed.

Artifcial joints typically last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. But with advances in orthope-dic surgery and technology, replacement joints may now last even longer.

Martha Busby, Larry’s wife, had her left hip replaced eight years ago and had her right one replaced in March 2010, just three months be-fore her husband had his total hip replacement. “After having my left hip replaced several years ago, the doctors warned me that I would eventually have to have the right one done as well,” she says. “Fortunately Larry and I have been doing therapy, and [that] made the re-covery process much easier.”

Together, the Busbys are back to their usual routine of working and spending time with their family, including eight grandchildren ranging in age from 5 to 16 years old. Larry celebrated his 70th birthday this summer, but he looks and acts years younger, which helps him keep up with both his and the grandkids’ activities.

“I am so glad he got back on the ballfeld,” Martha said. “He is having so much fun, just doing what he loves.”