Reduced Hip and Knee Replacement Risks
A while back, I read that hip and knee replacement surgery imposed a much greater risk of suffering a heart attack in the two weeks following the surgery for those over 60 years of age and it made me wonder why.
It so turns out that stressing over the upcoming event and some of the immediate effects of the surgery such as a decrease in oxygen supplied to the heart during the surgery, blood loss, arrhythmia, and bone marrow seeping from the femur into the bloodstream potentially causing blockage of vessels after hip replacement, increase the risks.
Studies have shown that the chances of a heart attack increased by 25 times where hip replacements were concerned and 31 times with knee replacements. For the older patients with pre-existing conditions the risks are even higher. The good news is though that after two to six weeks these risks subsided and were no longer present.
More good news is that preventative measures have been taken by surgeons and hospitals to reduce these risks. Heart medications like beta blockers and statins are administered during a certain period before the surgery takes place which has shown to reduce the overall risks by 35%.
That is comforting to know, because it is no pleasure having to live in constant pain. One of these replacements will definitely improve the range of motion and substantially reduce or even eliminate the pain entirely. It is well worth weighing the short-term risks against the long-term benefits and talking to your doctor will certainly be very helpful.
We may not be aware of it, but each day in this earthly life comes with many risks. We may not always understand why things happen as they do, but we can definitely improve the quality of our lives and even reduce or eliminate the hurt we experience entirely by entrusting ourselves to God. There are no risks involved, only benefits and those are eternal!
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
It so turns out that stressing over the upcoming event and some of the immediate effects of the surgery such as a decrease in oxygen supplied to the heart during the surgery, blood loss, arrhythmia, and bone marrow seeping from the femur into the bloodstream potentially causing blockage of vessels after hip replacement, increase the risks.
Studies have shown that the chances of a heart attack increased by 25 times where hip replacements were concerned and 31 times with knee replacements. For the older patients with pre-existing conditions the risks are even higher. The good news is though that after two to six weeks these risks subsided and were no longer present.
More good news is that preventative measures have been taken by surgeons and hospitals to reduce these risks. Heart medications like beta blockers and statins are administered during a certain period before the surgery takes place which has shown to reduce the overall risks by 35%.
That is comforting to know, because it is no pleasure having to live in constant pain. One of these replacements will definitely improve the range of motion and substantially reduce or even eliminate the pain entirely. It is well worth weighing the short-term risks against the long-term benefits and talking to your doctor will certainly be very helpful.
We may not be aware of it, but each day in this earthly life comes with many risks. We may not always understand why things happen as they do, but we can definitely improve the quality of our lives and even reduce or eliminate the hurt we experience entirely by entrusting ourselves to God. There are no risks involved, only benefits and those are eternal!
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
2 Comments:
Ouch! It's very painful to have this surgery. All surgeries are painful.
Audrey,
They are, but where would we be without them?! :-)
God's Grace.
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