Knee Replacement
People often think joint replacements will only last 10-20 years but the great news is this is a fallacy. All outcome data for modern implanted knee replacements is kept in Australia by the National Joint Replacement Registry. It guides us on how implants for knees, hips and other joints are performing. Current data suggests the likelihood of needing a revision (re-do) operation at 20 years is a little over 8%. This means, reassuringly, it is likely that approximately 92% of knee replacements will be still in place in 20 years.
After deciding on your treatment pathway to have a knee replacement, the process is streamlined to be efficient and simple for you. 3D printing of your anatomy from a specialised CT scan takes place and means the time from your appointment to surgery is anytime from approximately 3 weeks. You will be given an appointment to see a specialist physician before your operation to ensure your safety for surgery, and optimise any medical issues prior. You will be given instructions on when to hold or reduce any blood thinners/medications/diabetes control from this physician. You will be in hospital generally 2-3 nights, depending on how you progress after your operation (It is better to be the tortoise rather than the hare though). You will have your wound reviewed at 2 weeks after your operation to ensure healing, then you will commence physiotherapy from 2 weeks, and you will have a review at 8 weeks from your operation with a new X-Ray of the joint to check on your progress.
There is no right or wrong time to have a joint replaced. It is a combination of things that lead to that treatment decision – how bad your condition is, how much it affects your quality of life and activities of daily living, and what treatment you have already received. There is no hard set limit on when it is appropriate – Dr. Murray will discuss with you appropriate treatments to try and avoid joint replacement, but if you end up requiring it as the best option, there isn’t a time on that treatment
Not all insurance is the same – some cover all the costs, some cover only a very limited amount and result in a gap. You will be given an item number that applies to your surgery to check with your insurer to determine your level of cover. Costs to consider include your hospital excess, anaesthetist bill (separate from your surgeon), surgical assistant, and gap for the surgery. Often insurers have surgeons performing no-gap surgery they will offer you – but like insurance, not all surgeons are the same.
Hip Replacement
People often think joint replacements will only last 10-20 years but the great news is this is a fallacy. All outcome data for modern implanted hip replacements is kept in Australia by the National Joint Replacement Registry. It guides us on how implants for hips, knees and other joints are performing. Current data suggests the likelihood of needing a revision (re-do) operation at 20 years is a little over 8%. This means, reassuringly, it is likely that approximately 92% of hip replacements will be still in place in 20 years. It does depend on a few factors – including what your surgeon decides to utilise as the articulating bearing surface (ball and socket). If they use a poorer quality/performing combination, it is more likely it will wear out earlier.
After deciding on your treatment pathway to have a hip replacement, the process is streamlined to be efficient and simple for you. 3D printing of your anatomy from a specialised CT scan takes place and means the time from your appointment to surgery is anytime from approximately 3 weeks. You will be given an appointment to see a specialist physician before your operation to ensure your safety for surgery, and optimise any medical issues prior. You will be given instructions on when to hold or reduce any blood thinners/medications/diabetes control from this physician. You will be in hospital generally 1-2 nights, depending on how you progress after your operation (It is better to be the tortoise rather than the hare though). You will have your wound reviewed at 2 weeks after your operation to ensure healing, then you will commence physiotherapy from 2 weeks, and you will have a review at 8 weeks from your operation with a new X-Ray of the joint to check on your progress.
After an Anterior approach hip replacement with Dr. Murray you will generally have no restrictions on activities you can do, and the team will encourage and rehabilitate you to get back to living life. Things such as running, skiing and surfing need to be discussed with Dr. Murray prior.
Not all insurance is the same – some cover all the costs, some cover only a very limited amount and result in a gap. You will be given an item number that applies to your surgery to check with your insurer to determine your level of cover. Costs to consider include your hospital excess, anaesthetist bill (separate from your surgeon), surgical assistant, and gap for the surgery. Often insurers have surgeons performing no-gap surgery they will offer you – but like insurance, not all surgeons are the same.
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