Reconnecting You to A Pain-free, Active Life
Broken bones, arthritis, osteoporosis and basic wear and tear don't need to stop you in your tracks. At Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Francis, the latest joint surgery technologies provide a faster recovery, improved results and a less painful route back to your favorite physical activities.
Since the first joint replacement was performed in the United States in 1969, Orthopedics has evolved from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to sophisticated computer-aided surgery and bone-conserving procedures available today.
Last year, one million Americans had either a partial or total hip replacement or a knee replacement. Over the next 30 years, hip and knee replacements are expected to increase more than 70 percent. And you might be surprised to hear that younger adults are benefiting from new procedures that enable them to continue playing sports long after injuries would dictate they stop.
Patients of All Ages Benefit From Less-Invasive Treatment
Joint problems affect nearly everyone at some point. Seniors 65+, a group expected to increase 20 percent over the next 30 years, are prime candidates for orthopedic procedures to alleviate conditions like osteoarthritis. And not far behind are Baby Boomers, adults 45-64, who are more active than ever and determined to stay that way despite joint pain that can make even a simple walk painful.
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus extols the virtues of his hip replacement. So has rock star Eddie Van Halen, who was 43 when he had his hip replaced in 1999, the same year as Nicklaus. Cases like these lay to rest the stereotype that only the aged and the inactive receive hip and knee joint replacements.
Weight also plays a major role in orthopedic health. More than half of all Americans are overweight and nearly one-quarter are obese and this places greater demands on joints and bones which are worn down by strenuous physical activity.
When Joint Replacement Becomes Necessary
Joints are formed by the ends of two or more bones connected by tissue called cartilage. Healthy cartilage serves as a protective cushion, allowing smooth, low-friction movement of the joint. If the cartilage becomes damaged by disease or injury, the tissues around the joint become inflamed, causing pain. With time, the cartilage wears away, allowing the rough edges of bone to rub against each other, causing more pain.
When only some of the joint is damaged, a surgeon may be able to repair or replace just the damaged parts. When the entire joint is damaged, a total joint replacement is done. To replace a total hip or knee joint, a surgeon removes the diseased or damaged parts and inserts artificial parts, called prostheses or implants.
The most common reason for having a hip or knee replaced is osteoarthritis, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Deformed joints, defective cartilage, excess weight, joint fracture, ligament tears, or other injury can lead to osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another condition that may be alleviated by hip or knee joint replacement. This chronic inflammation of the joint lining causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. The inflamed lining can invade and damage bone and cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis generally starts in middle age, but can also affect children and young adults.
Loss of bone caused by poor blood supply (avascular necrosis), which led to Eddie Van Halen's hip replacement, and bone tumors may be other reasons for joint replacement.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that an increasingly diverse range of patients means it’s more important than ever for hospitals to offer the latest, more precise orthopedic procedures resulting in replacements that cause fewer problems, last longer, and move more like a healthy natural joint. Two of the most advanced techniques are Hip Resurfacing and Robotic Knee Replacement.
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Francis Orthopedic Surgery Team
Using the latest technology and treatment skills, the highly qualified orthopedic surgeons at St. Francis focus on treatments which lead to faster healing, faster recovery and greater precision.
St. Francis’ continuum of orthopedic care includes outpatient rehabilitation services, home care and educational programs that showcase new therapies while encouraging injury and disease prevention.
