|
|
NEWS
RECALLS
COMPLAINT FORM
SCAM ALERTS
RESOURCES
Small Claims Guide Class Actions Lemon Laws FAQ Newsletters |
Share |
| Automotive Education Employment Electronics Family Finance Health Homeowners Insurance Pets Shopping Travel |
|
|
|
![]() |
Need New Knees? Read This FirstNew surgical procedure cuts recovery time for many |
|||||||||||||
|
By Jim Miller December 7, 2007
Here are the pros and cons of each procedure. Traditional ReplacementDeveloped back in the 1960s, traditional knee replacement surgery is still considered by many knee surgeons to be the gold standard, with predictable and consistently good results. In a traditional knee replacement, an 8-to-12-inch incision is made typically on the front of the knee, through part of the quadriceps muscle and tendons where the damaged portions of the tibia (shin bone), patella (kneecap) and femur (thigh bone) are removed and the new knee components (made of metal and plastic) are installed. While the large incision provides good working room to install the new knee properly, it also causes more tissue trauma resulting in a longer and more painful recovery. So what can you expect following a traditional knee replacement operation? Most patients spend their first post-op day or two on heavy pain medication in a hospital bed. Once they’re out of bed, they need a walker or crutches to move around and they remain hospitalized for a week, on average. Then it’s two or three months of physical therapy, more pain medication and relying on a cane, before they’re ready to start dancing again. Less Invasive MethodWith minimally invasive surgery (MIS), surgeons make an incision only 3 to 5 inches long to remove the damaged joint and install the implant. Muscles are pulled aside rather than cut – which is the key – so there tends to be less pain, a faster recovery and a shorter hospital stay. Most patients, after an MIS procedure, take steps the very next day using only a cane. They spend only two or three days in the hospital and are walking without any assistance in a few weeks. The main drawback to this method however, is that the smaller cut (3 to 5 inches) offers less room to work, creating a greater risk of misaligning the knee, which can cause pain as well as wear and tear on the device. It’s also important to know that the MIS technique is not for everyone. If you’re overweight, or you’ve already had a replacement or extensive knee surgery you’ll need the traditional procedure. Points to ConsiderBefore you decide to have any type of knee replacement surgery, here are some points to consider: Is it really necessary? Surgery should be a last resort, if other treatments such as knee supports, exercise, weight loss and ultrasound fail. Look for experience: No matter which procedure you choose, look for an experienced, reputable orthopedic surgeon and a hospital that does a high volume of total knee replacements. The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) offers a list of board-certified doctors to help you search in your area. Also, because the MIS technique is relatively new, less than 20 percent of the nation’s 20,000 orthopedic surgeons do the procedure. To find them, check the artificial joint maker sites like www.depuyorthopaedics.com, www.zimmer.com (which recently developed a new Gender Knee for women only), www.biomet.com (which offers a unique partial knee system), www.stryker.com and www.smith-nephew.com/. Do some research: Lots of good information is available on www.orthoinfo.org, www.aahks.org and www.arthritis.org. Check your insurer: Typically, both types of surgery cost in excess of $20,000. Many health plans cover knee replacements and Medicare coverage varies from state to state. ---Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” books. Report Your Experience
|
|||||||||||||
Advertisement
|
|
Custom Search
|
||||
|
AUTOMOTIVE Dealers Manufacturers Service Extended Warranties Lemon Laws Recalls Tires Transporters FAMILY Aging Children, Parenting Recalls Dating Education Entertainment Pets Weddings |
FINANCE Annuities Banks Credit Cards Debt Collection Debt Counseling Insurance Investing Loans Mortgages Payday Loans Student Loans Tax Prep HEALTH Doctors Drugs, Pharmacies Health Clubs Hearing Care Hospitals Nursing Homes Nutrition, Diets Vision Care Weight Loss |
HOUSE & HOME Appliances Cookware Furniture Home Improvements Lawn & Garden Movers Pools & Spas Realtors, Rental Agents Recalls Utilities ELECTRONICS Cable TV/DBS Cameras Cell Phones Computers Home Electronics Internet Access Local Phone Service Long Distance VoIP |
SHOPPING In-Home Online Retail Stores Sporting Goods Supermarkets Telemarketers TRAVEL Airlines Bus Lines Car Rental Cruises Hotels Travel Agents Trains RESOURCES Class Actions Complaint Form Small Claims Guide Lemon Laws |
CONSUMER NEWS Latest News Automotive Telecom Financial Health Homeowners Scams Seniors Travel More ... RECALLS Automotive Children's Products Drugs Food Household Products Sporting Goods ABOUT US FAQ Privacy Policy Advertise With Us Newsroom Syndication Terms of Use |
Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use
Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. |
|