Joint Replacement: everything you should know

Joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which a damaged joint is replaced with an artificial implant. This eliminates constant pain, restores range of motion, and helps a person return to their usual lifestyle. Treatment methods for hip and knee joints in Israel are generally similar: the surgeon removes the damaged structures and installs a strong, durable implant.

Joint cartilage wear is a gradual process. As it progresses, the bone surfaces begin to rub against each other, causing pain and restricted movement. Most patients seek help after the age of 65. However, among those who need knee replacement in Israel or hip surgery, younger people are also common. Causes of cartilage damage vary: genetics, excess weight, autoimmune diseases, past injuries, or childhood conditions.

In the vast majority of cases, it is a planned surgery. People arrive at the decision gradually as pain becomes constant and mobility significantly decreases. That is why hip or knee replacement in Israel at the Ichilov orthopedic department is performed according to a carefully coordinated plan, minimizing complications and shortening rehabilitation time.

Professor Warshavsky notes from his clinical experience that many patients are in an active stage of life: they want to travel, engage in hobbies, and spend time with family. Cartilage destruction forces them to control every step, limiting even the simplest activities.

There are many contributing factors. Excess weight increases the load on the joints. Genetics also plays a significant role. Inflammatory diseases such as lupus or gout can rapidly worsen cartilage condition. Sometimes the trigger is trauma or a tumor that has damaged the joint. Athletes may develop similar issues due to chronic mechanical stress. During hip surgery in Israel, doctors sometimes discover that the wear is related to a congenital defect.

Does running harm the knee

This is a common misconception. Modern research shows that running itself does not destroy cartilage and does not lead to the need for surgery.

What happens when cartilage is damaged

Cartilage contains no nerve endings, but it is essential for smooth joint movement. When it deteriorates, the underlying bone rich in nerve fibers becomes exposed. This is what causes sharp pain and limited mobility.

What happens if treatment is delayed

As the disease progresses, deformity of the limb may develop: the leg may shift inward or outward. This can stretch ligaments and tendons, increasing pain and reducing stability while walking.

What are modern implants made of

The professor explains: metal components provide strength, while the parts replacing cartilage are made of high-density polyethylene. This material is durable, reduces friction, and ensures smooth movement.

What is recovery like after surgery

After knee surgery, rehabilitation can be relatively long and painful, but it is crucial to start the very next day. In the clinic, patients get up and begin walking within 24 hours. Discharge from the hospital usually occurs the next day, and further recovery progresses step by step. Patients may first use walkers, then a cane, and after a few weeks, many walk independently.

Recovery after hip surgery is similar but often much easier. This procedure is considered one of the most successful in modern medicine. The Lancet even called it “the operation of the century” for its immense contribution to improving the lives of millions.

How is the surgery performed

Today, most knee joint surgeries are performed using robotic systems. The robot helps recreate the natural alignment of the joint and significantly improves the precision of surgical cuts. This reduces damage to muscles and ligaments and improves surgical outcomes. Such technologies are widely used in the Ichilov orthopedic department.

Possible complications

As with any surgery, the main risk is infection. Worldwide data shows a complication rate of about 1%, but at Ichilov, this number is significantly lower — less than a quarter of a percent. If necessary, surgeons perform joint lavage and prescribe antibiotics. Major joint surgery is considered one of the safest fields in orthopedics and techniques continue to be improved.

Hip fractures in adults are serious and dangerous injuries. Risks are particularly high in patients over 65. International statistics show that mortality within a year after a femoral neck fracture reaches 30%. The reason is not the fracture itself, but complications from prolonged immobility.

How quickly should surgery be performed

In Israel, as in the rest of the world, surgery is conducted within 48 hours. Delay is dangerous — prolonged bed rest leads to pressure sores, infections, pneumonia, and other severe complications.

At the Ichilov medical center, thanks to close collaboration between orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists, postoperative mortality is significantly lower than the global average.

How is patient safety ensured

Before surgery, thorough preparation is performed: blood pressure control, heart monitoring, and close postoperative observation using specialized equipment. The first days after surgery are especially important, as the body is under significant stress.

Possible risks after surgery

Occasionally, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or infections may occur. Therefore, patients remain under continuous supervision until their condition fully stabilizes.

“Seeing someone walk freely again after years of pain is the greatest proof of the effectiveness of our work,” emphasizes Professor Yaniv Warshavsky.