All you need to know about prostheses

Implantation of a prosthesis is necessary when the patient's joint loses or alters its function. This disorder occurs when the joint surfaces affected by post-traumatic, degenerative and / or inflammatory causes; resulting in impaired joint function causing: cancellation or limitation of mobility, pain and lameness. The end result is a loss of quality of life primarily because of the pain, which is the cause of limiting patient mobility.

The main objective of the joint replacement is a prosthesis improve the quality of life. In this sense, who is more qualified is the patient to decide the time of replacement once the indication by the established specialist in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery.

Types of prostheses

Joint degeneration is closely related to the mechanical stress, in addition to its primary causes. This is maximum load on the joints. The lower extremities, hip and knee joints are where it is more common than osteoarthritis appears, is the most common cause in the indication of a prosthesis. The frequency of their occurrence in recent years is slightly higher in the knee (gonarthrosis).

A prosthesis joint replacement is constituted by a component made of different materials specific characteristics, which are studied, designed and designed to improve their biocompatibility, the bone fixation, duration and ease of sliding (friction). Being mechanical elements are subjected to wear and loosening of the bone attachment. This is proportional to the work to be performed by the mechanical stress to which we will submit them. Therefore the forecast duration is better in patients older than 70 years and, consequently, reduce its duration prostheses in young patients, very active and demanding.

Replacement prosthesis: when to do it

The patient must decide the time of implementation of the "primary" prosthesis experience in life relationship existing limitations. In Replacement prosthesis, however, it is not so. Once the prosthesis is implanted, it suffers wear which causes degradation of the implant, polyethylene wear, changes of the sliding surfaces, failure of the bone attachment and migration of prosthetic components.

This can he encompassed in what is known as silent disease prosthesis. When the degradation of the prosthesis appears, this is evidenced progressively in the established annual checks. When the specialist diagnosed this wear dentures, you should anticipate events to avoid serious bone loss and destruction of the implants, which make it more complex and difficult reconstruction. In many cases, though not all, degradation occurs asymptomatic patient so the professional shall receive and convince the patient of the need for a revision of the implant.