Your joints are likely one part of your body that you rarely think about, but when your joints suffer major injuries or wear, you can experience extreme discomfort. In cases where this damage is severe, the only option may be to replace the joint. For patients that are considering this type of surgery, it can be extremely intimidating. However, if you have the right information about this procedure, you may find that you can make more confident decisions about this surgery. In particular, learning about some prevalently held notions about joint replacements will help you to become a better-informed patient. 

Myth: Your Entire Joint Will Always Be Replaced

There are many patients that assume their entire joint will have to be replaced. However, this is often not the case, because your orthopaedic surgeon will often be able to replace only the damaged part of the joint. This is done by attaching the artificial joint to the healthy part of bone using a medical grade cement. 

In addition to helping keep your recovery time lower, this procedure will be far less expensive, which can be an important factor for patients with low coverage insurance policies. While this will not always be a practical option, your doctor will be able to determine if this is a viable treatment for your particular injury.

Myth: Artificial Joints Last Forever

Another routinely believed notion is that these artificial joints will never have to be replaced. While this would be nice if it were true, these joints have a lifespan, and they will need to be replaced at the end of it. This is easy to understand when you consider the rigorous stress and wear that the joints will have to endure.

The exact lifespan of the artificial joint will depend on a variety of factors. However, the only way to know if this type of procedure is needed is to have your doctor examine the joint. This is one of the reasons why you will be expected to make numerous follow-up visits with your surgeon. These visits allow them to ensure the joint is in good condition and functioning properly. If your orthopaedist finds problems with it, they may be able to be corrected before further damage is caused.

Artificial joints can be an excellent way of restoring your mobility and alleviating pain when you are suffering from joint damage. By refuting some myths that you may believe, you will be a more informed patient when it concerns treating your joint damage. Contact a professional clinic, like Tedder Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, to discuss your options for joint replacement.