Endoprostheses available on our market are more and more modern and comfortable. When the natural joints are so damaged that rehabilitation, pharmacotherapy or lifestyle changes do not help, the only thing left is replacing them with artificial ones, i.e. endoprostheses. It is estimated that 40-50 thousand such procedures are carried out in Poland every year.

Do you dream of replacing sick or worn parts of your body with new ones? In the case ofjointsit is possible. Replacing themwith endoprosthesesrelieves pain and restores physical fitness.

The most commonhip replacement is , then the knee. Women are subjected to such procedures more often, especially in the case of the knee joint. Less frequently, endoprostheses of the ankle, elbow, brachial and phalangeal joints are implanted. These types of operations mainly affect people who have had accidents or suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

What are endoprostheses made of?

Endoprostheses resemble the joint they are supposed to replace and take over its functions after implantation. They are made of various steel or titanium alloys that are well tolerated by the body. The cooperating parts (e.g. head and cup counterparts) are often made of polyethylene or ceramics. Due to the type of stabilization, endoprostheses can be generally divided into cementless and cemented ones. In the first case, the worn out elements of the natural joint are cut out and the prosthesis parts are mechanically fastened (press-fit or screwed in). To facilitate the fusion of the prosthesis with the bone, it is covered with hydroxyapatite. Currently, it is less and less often artificial joints are fixed with the use of cement, i.e. bone glue. This solution is usually used when the bone is weak, e.g. due to osteoporosis, i.e. bone fossilization.

When to make a decision to replace a pond?

The necessity to replace a joint with an artificial one is mainly determined by pain and the results of imaging examinations (X-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging). The decision should not be delayed, as the damage to the bones and the surrounding tissues deepens over time. Then the treatment and rehabilitation are more difficult. Besides onNFZ insurance surgery takes quite a long time (at least 2-3 years), so it is better to think about it in advance. However, it must be remembered that the durability of a prosthesis has its limits. Its articular surfaces wear off, and polyethylene particles can lead to bone osteolysis, i.e. bone loss. As a result of this process, in some patients the endoprosthesis loosens and then it must be replaced with a new one. Reoperation is more complicated, because bone defects must be supplemented (with natural frozen bone tissue, bone substitute material) or special endoprosthesis pads should be used.

Better quality of modern prostheses

Currently, there are many types of endoprostheses, which allows them to be adapted to the patient's needs. The ones that are being implanted now are getting better mechanically and more resistant to friction. In the improvement of their design, there is a tendency to use techniques that save bone as much as possible. It is even possible to make custom-made endoprostheses (such a solution is available, however, in a few medical centers in Poland, including the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior in Warsaw). Based on the results of imaging tests, the so-called a measure, i.e. a bone cast of a specific patient. This enables the perfect selection of the size and type of the endoprosthesis and its optimal setting. According to this model, the bones are also cut out before implantation of the artificial joint. Not only endoprostheses have changed, but also rehabilitation procedures after surgery. In the past, it was a standard to walk on crutches without burdening the operated limb for 4-6 months. Nowadays, in most cases, orthopedists recommend loading a hip or knee prosthesis very quickly because it strengthens the bones and muscles and speeds up recovery.

This will be useful to you

In the case of the most frequently replaced hip joint, a pin is pressed into the medullary canal of the femur, on which a ball imitating the head of the bone is mounted. Then the orthopedic surgeon fixes an artificial acetabulum and an insert, e.g. made of polyethylene, to the pelvic bones.

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