Preparation for surgery

Joint replacement surgeries are one of the most common surgical practices in the United States. Research actually shows that by the year 2030, approximately 3.48 million joint replacement surgeries should be performed each year. Clearly, this is an area where a lot of people need help.

Learning About Joint Replacement Surgery:

  • One of the most common kinds of joint replacement is hip joint replacement surgery. During 2013 alone, 332,000 hip surgeries were performed in the United States. By 2030, the percentage of total hip replacement surgery in the country is set to increase by 174%. In many cases, getting total hip replacement surgery is often needed.
  • Another common joint replacement surgery is knee joint replacement surgery. Even more common than hip replacement surgery, research shows that there were 719,000 knee replacement surgeries performed in 2013 alone. Generally speaking, knee joint replacement surgery is used on individuals between the ages of 50-80. Knee joint replacement is also an issue that commonly plagues older women, with 60% of all knee replacement surgery patients being women. Knee replacements are one of the most long lasting surgeries, with research reporting that roughly 85% of these knee replacements in the United States remaining fully functional for over 20 years! Talk about a good investment.
  • Two other common kinds of joint replacement surgery are shoulder joint replacement surgery and elbow joint replacement surgery. While not as prevalent as knee or total hip replacement surgery, these kinds of replacements do occur and is a well known kind of orthopedic surgery.

One of the greatest deterrents for people who have joint issues who are debating getting surgery is the cost. While joint replacement surgery is definitely not a cheap service, many different insurance policies can help to cover the cost of your surgery. Be sure to check what your current policy covers or if you don’t have one, talk to your doctor about what course of action they would recommend to finance the procedure.

Another worry factor for those about to have surgery is the actual procedure itself. Many individuals often get anxious before their surgeries, as they aren’t quite sure of what to expect. Don’t get down on yourself if you find yourself in this position; pre-surgery jitters are normal for almost everyone. Be sure to talk to your doctor or surgeon so they can walk you through both the surgery prep process and the surgery itself. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions; they want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

Have you had any experiences with any kind of joint replacement surgery? Tell us about it in the comments below!