There may come a point in your chronic joint pain journey where a joint expert in Charleston, SC, recommends that you consider surgery. A procedure performed by a joint replacement specialist in Charleston, SC, may be exactly what you need to finally live free of joint pain and regain mobility and your quality of life. Before you undergo joint replacement surgery in Charleston, SC, you need to know what to expect so you’re prepared and can accelerate the healing process.
Once you know what to expect, not just on the day of your joint replacement in Charleston, SC, but in the days following, you can take the necessary steps to prepare yourself physically, mentally, and situationally so you can do your part to ensure a quick recovery and healing process.
Joint replacement surgery is designed to reduce or eliminate pain from an injury or chronic illness that has affected the joint. It’s also meant to restore mobility to the affected joint. Some of the most common procedures include hip and knee replacements, but other joints may require surgical intervention, including the ankles, fingers, and shoulders.
This procedure can benefit everyone, from the professional athlete to the average individual dealing with chronic joint pain as a result of illness, overuse, genetics, or an injury. During the procedure, the surgeon will typically remove the damaged joint and replace it with an implant. Once it’s over, you’ll immediately begin the recovery process.
During the first hours following your procedure, you’ll be instructed to move the joint, which can look different for each patient depending on the treatment area. For example, patients who undergo knee replacement surgery will begin walking on their new knee just a few hours post-op. Joint mobility is an important aspect of healing, which is why you’ll begin moving shortly after your procedure is over.
The focus on mobility won’t change when you return home. You’ll be instructed to exercise your affected joint to accelerate healing. You’ll also need to undergo physical therapy in the weeks following to promote healing. The exercises you perform during physical therapy are designed to strengthen the muscles, reduce swelling, and improve circulation, all of which will work together to accelerate the healing process.
It’s also important to focus on eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid those foods that increase internal inflammation, like alcohol, simple carbohydrates, and sugars, so your body can focus on ultimate healing.
Living with chronic joint pain doesn’t have to be your future because there is a treatment plan that can meet your exact needs, alleviate your pain, and restore your quality of life. Request an appointment at South Carolina Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center today to learn more about our services and surgical procedures and get one step closer to living free from joint pain.
