Joint replacement procedures are improving patients’ quality of life
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Advances in joint replacement procedures are benefiting patients in a variety of ways, from their hands to their toes and almost everything in between.
William Cambridge, MD, said the most significant changes in joint replacement surgery in the last 10 to 15 years are the bearing surfaces being used in total hip and total knee replacements.
Dr. Cambridge, an orthopedic surgeon on the Backus Medical Staff who specializes in joint replacement surgery, joint reconstruction and arthroscopic surgery, said the changes have significantly increased the longevity of implants and we expect a much higher success rate.
For example, a polyethylene insert is part of the bearing surface that has been upgraded in knee replacements, which surgeons hope will result in lower wear patterns and increased longevity. In hip replacement, the trend has been to eliminate polyethylene bearing surfaces, in favor of ceramic on ceramic or metal on metal bearings to increase longevity.
"In the past, hips were only lasting 7-10 years depending on wear," Dr. Cambridge said. "We hope now they will last as long as knee replacements, which at 10-15 years are still performing very well."
Pete Barber, 52, of Norwich, had a hip replacement in March.
"I have a physical job and I am an active guy and I have been able to do everything I was able to do before except for running," he said. "This has given me a new lease on life."
He works as a mechanic for Norwich Public Utilities. A number of years ago he had fallen out of a tree and had developed post traumatic degenerative arthritis of his hip after that. Now he is back to work and he also does free diving and spear fishing.
"I was hobbling every day and now I am back at the gym and diving," he said.
"It is important for patients to feel comfortable with their physician and to be aware of all the risks and benefits of different types of surgeries," Dr. Cambridge said. "At The William W. Backus Hospital we cover multiple sub-specialties in orthopedics, offering a depth of knowledge and expertise that is unique for a small hospital setting."
Nicole Arcand, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, recently joined the BackusMedical Staff, bringing her fellowship training in foot and ankle orthopedics.Michael Halperin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spinal surgery has been involved in clinical trials of spinal fusion and other types of spinal surgeries.
Tarik Kardestuncer,MD, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand surgery, said there are new procedures he offers, as well. He performs knuckle replacements with metal, which were done with silicone joints in the past. He also performs elbow replacements and minimally invasive partial elbow replacements, and wrist replacements.
"Many of these advances have come to Backus in the last five years or so - a lot of this technology is very modern," Dr. Kardestuncer said.
He said microsurgery, with the use of a microscope to repair nerves, is another option now offered at Backus.
Arthroscopy, which includes the use of fiber optic cameras, is now used more routinely in the wrist, as well as in the knuckles and joints for arthritis, torn cartilage or chronic wrist or elbow pain.