Your doctor and healthcare team will provide you with information to help you prepare for surgery. Never hesitate to ask questions. The following list of questions can help you in your discussions with your doctor before your surgery.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This article answers some frequently asked questions about post-operative care for joint replacement patients who have limited social support and/or financial means. This information can help patients prepare for their surgery and recovery to ensure safe and successful outcomes.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of rare diseases that cause muscles to weaken and deteriorate. MD affects the voluntary muscles that control movement in the arms, legs, and trunk. It also can affect involuntary muscles, such as the heart and respiratory muscles.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder that affects a child's ability to control his or her muscles. It is caused by damage or abnormalities in the parts of the brain that are involved with movement and coordination. In most cases, cerebral palsy begins before a baby is born.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Sometimes called "wear-and-tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis is a common condition that many people develop during middle age or older. It can occur in any joint in the body, but most often develops in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
After having a total knee replacement, you may expect your lifestyle to be a lot like it was before surgery— but without the pain. In many ways, you are right, but returning to your everyday activities takes time.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Returning to your everyday activities after total hip replacement will take time, but being an active participant in the healing process can help you recover sooner. The tips included here will help you enjoy your new hip while you safely resume your daily routines.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. Most stress fractures are caused by overuse and repetitive activity, and are common in runners and athletes. This article describes the causes and symptoms of stress fractures and includes tips for preventing them.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A patellar fracture is a break in the patella, or kneecap, the small bone that sits at the front of your knee. A patellar fracture is a serious injury that can make it difficult or even impossible to straighten your knee or walk.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Osteoarthritis, also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of your bones gradually wears away. This leads to pain and stiffness that worsens over time, making it difficult to do daily activities.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A meniscal transplant replaces the damaged knee meniscus with donor cartilage. Meniscal transplants are not right for everyone. If you already have arthritis in your knee, a meniscal transplant may not help you. But for a select group of people, meniscal transplants can offer significant pain relief.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In unicompartmental knee replacement (also called partial knee replacement) only a portion of the knee is resurfaced with metal and plastic components. This procedure is an alternative to total knee replacement for patients whose disease is limited to just one area of the knee.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A pulled hamstring or strain is an injury to one or more of the muscles at the back of the thigh. Most hamstring injuries respond well to simple, nonsurgical treatments. Hamstring injuries are common in athletes who participate in sports that require sprinting, such as track, soccer, and basketball.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and the major types that affect the knee are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic arthritis. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatment options to help relieve pain and stay active.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
If simple treatments like medications and using walking supports no longer relieve knee arthritis symptoms, you may want to consider surgery. Knee replacement surgery is an effective procedure to relieve pain, correct leg deformity, and help you resume everyday activities.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
If your hip has been damaged by arthritis, a fracture, or other conditions, common activities such as walking or getting in and out of a chair may be painful and difficult. Total hip replacement is an effective procedure that can help you get back to enjoying everyday activities.| orthoinfo.aaos.org