Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment, and the Effects on

Sensory Mechanisms Encountered by Osteoarthritic

Total Joint Replacement Patients

Osteoarthritis and Total Joint Replacement

Neil V. ShahBioNB 4210, Fall 2008

Final Project

An Introduction to OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis (OA) is a slow-progressing joint

inflammation that can result from cartilage degeneration.

OA is the most common form of arthritis, even more common as age increases. Nearly 27 million Americans older than 25 years of age have OA.

By 2030, nearly 20% of Americans (approximately 72 million people) will surpass 65 years of age and be at high risk for OA.

Under the age of 45, male OA patients outnumber females. After that age, it is more common in women. It is also more likely to develop in overweight people and people with jobs that stress certain joints.

What Does OA Affect?OA onset at where joints occur, most commonly

affecting the hands and finger-ends, neck, lower back, knees, and hips (Figure 1, left).

It is painful and can negatively influence lifestyle, bringing on depression and a sense of helplessness, and finances, as treatment options can be expensive.

It is also a very common cause for falls in the elderly. It leads to weakened bone and muscle strength, and this can severely worsen the effects of a fall on an elderly person.

Figure 1. (Backside Body View)Courtesy of NIH NAMS

An Osteoarthritic Joint

Two types of OA:Primary OA: attributed to age, heredity, and activity-

related deterioration on joint cartilage, resulting in a total loss of cartilage cushion between the bones of joints (Figure 2 above).

Secondary OA: caused by other diseases/co-morbidities, such as obesity, trauma, diabetes, etc.

Figure 2.Courtesy of Shiel 2008, MedicineNet

Symptoms & Diagnosis of OAFrequently, OA patients complain of:

Stiffness in a joint after getting out of bed or sitting for a long time

Swelling and pain in one or more jointsA Crunching feeling or the sound of bone rubbing on bone**If your skin turns red or you feel hot, you may not have OA;

it could be of another cause, such as rheumatoid arthritis

Common Ways to Diagnose OAPatient’s Clinical History and Physical ExamX-rays (Figure 3, right) or MRI images

read by an Orthopedist

Figure 3.Courtesy of CentraCare

Effective Treatments for OA

SurgeryTotal Joint Replacement (TJR)

Prosthetic devices made from metal alloys (Figure 4, below), high-density plastic, or ceramic material used to replace severely affected joints. Can be performed for degraded hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles.

Artificial joints have become increasingly long-lasting (up to 10-15 years). May require revision or re-replacements after that time.

Joint ResurfacingThe surfaces of the bones in the joint can be surgically resurfaced, or

smoothed out. In regular replacement, the head of the joint is removed, but in

resurfacing, usually performed in the hip, the head is resurfaced and capped with an implant that will slide into the corresponding implanted cup.

Often a temporary step for those who avoiding or delaying open surgical intervention (replacement, etc.) or arthroscopy.

Shoulder

Ankle Knee Hip

Figure 4. Courtesy of DePuy Orthopaedics

Surgery Cont’dArthroscopy

Viewing scope inserted into the joint, allowing a surgeon to view and detect the site of damage (Figure 5, below)

Sometimes this can be can repaired through an arthroscope.

Often a successful procedure with recovery time quicker than open joint surgery.

Figure 5.Courtesy of Essex Knee Surgery

Joint ReplacementWho Can Help You Treat your OA?

In addition to major orthopedic hospitals, many community hospitals can now perform not only therapeutic treatment but surgeries.

More on Joint ReplacementThis procedure is continually improving itself, and

new methods are published frequently.Joints can now be customized to the lifestyle and

age of the patientMiddle-Aged (40-60) Athletes, Factory Workers,

Frequent Travelers, etc.Orthopaedic Centers Specializing in Joint

ReplacementHospital for Special Surgery, New York, NYNYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NYMayo Clinic, Rochester, MNCleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OHDuke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

Tips for Those Considering Joint Replacement

Take Painkillers Before Surgery Inform your physicianStudies in knee replacements have documented reduced pain

and other postoperative effects Request Inpatient Rehabilitation Soon after the

OperationStudies have shown that patients moved to rehab as early as

three days following surgery have had successful recoveries and reduced hospital costs.

Don’t Sit on OA; Approach It In the Long-TermDon’t wait for symptoms to become debilitating to actStudies show that surgeries performed at later stages

of joint deterioration due to OA result in worse postoperative functional status

Falls Can Accelerate Need for Surgery

Common Causes of Falls Degraded bone density and muscle strength in the hip, knee, and ankle

joints. Changes in Visual System

Age-related changes in sight, such as hardening, yellowing, and clouding of eye lens, decrease in pupil diameter, clouding of intraocular fluids, weakened eye muscles all contribute to decline in sight

Among hip fracture patients, vision impairment is more frequent than in people without hip fractures

Changes in Perceptual and Auditory-Vestibular Systems Declining ability to detect information combining touch and kinesthetic data

(haptic perception) hurts ability to properly grasp and manipulate objects Vestibular system, located in the ear, is vital to maintaining and coordinating

balance. Age-related changes to these systems hurts ability to adapt to environmental changes or obstacles and greatly increases the risk of falling

Alternatives to Operative Treatment

TherapeuticUse of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Aspirin, Ibuprofin (Motrin), and Naproxen (Naprosyn)Physical TherapyTreatment with food supplements (glucosamine & chondroitin)Hyaluronic Acid Injections – restores thickness of joint fluid for

better joint lubrication and impact capability Self-Managed

Rest, Exercise, Diet Control with Weight Reduction, Adjustment of Home (Showers, Stairwells, Chairs, etc.)

Complementary and Alternative Methods (CAM)Acupuncture – by inserting fine needles into skin at specific

points on body, they help reduce pain and improve physical function.

What Can You Do To Prevent OA?Self-Care and Good Health Attitude are

VitalGet Educated about OA and how it can affect your

life. You should be aware of its frequency of occurrence and thus prepare accordingly.

If you have it, join patient education programs or self-management programs to help understand and cope with OA and reduce pain

Stay Active with exercise and regular activityEat Well and Control Your WeightStay Positive – OA can be successfully managed,

and research is continuing to improve the lives of OA patients on a daily basis

Intended AudienceThis presentation is primarily intended for elderly patients who want a general overview of the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment methods associated with osteoarthritis. It also may be useful for:People wanting to gain a basic understanding of OAPatients younger than 60 years of age suffering from OAFamily members of OA patients wanting to learn more

about their loved ones’ conditions and ways they can help

This presentation is not intended to serve as a scientific review of OA nor is it intended to provide information that would be entirely novel to members of academia and medicine. It is merely a resource meant primarily for patient education.

References and Resources Helpful Resources

Best Hospitals: Orthopedics. 2008. America’s Best Hospitals. US News. Dec. 4, 2008. <http://www.usnews.com/directories/hospitals/index_html/specialty+ihqorth>

Buckelew K. (2007) New technology allows joint replacement on younger patients. Daily Record. Dec. 4, 2008. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20071119/ai_n21125849/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1>

Kulkarni S. (2006) Falls And The Elderly: An Educational Resource. Dec. 4, 2008. <http://courses.cit.cornell.edu/psych431_nbb421/student2006/ssk34/whyfallsoccur.htm>

Osteoarthritis. 2002-2006. NIH NIAMS. Dec. 4, 2008. <http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp>

Shiel, WC. Osteoarthritis. Sep. 2008. MedicineNet. Dec. 4, 2008. <http://www.medicinenet.com/osteoarthritis/article.htm#Whatis>

Images

Figure 3: Thompson, EG. (2007) X-ray of osteoarthritis of the knee. CentraCare Health System. Dec. 4, 2008. <http://64.143.176.9/library/healthguide/en-us/support/topic.asp?hwid=zm6052>

Figure 4. Joint Replacement Technology. 2002-2008. DePuy Orthopaedics. Dec. 4, 2008. <http://www.jointreplacement.com/DePuy/index.html>

References and Resources Cont’d

Images Cont’d Figure 5. Rees C. (2008) Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Essex Knee Surgery. Dec. 4, 2008.

<http://www.essexkneesurgery.co.uk/anterior-cruciate-ligament-reconstruction.php>

Relevant Studies and Publications (May Require Access to University Library Proxy; Can All be accessed through Respective University Library through Google Scholar)

Buvanendran A, Kroin, JS, Truman K, et. al. (2003) Effects of Perioperative Administration of a Selective Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitor of Pain Management and Recovery of Function After Knee Replacement.. JAMA. 290: 2411 – 2418. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/290/18/2411?ijkey=2037eae3f1d3b24c17bdf39eab0df590547a26ae&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

Fortin PR, Clarke AE, Joseph L, et. al. (2001) Outcomes of total hip and knee replacement: Preoperative functional status predicts outcomes at six months after surgery. Arthr. and Rheum.. 42(8): 1722 – 1728. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com.proxy.library.cornell.edu/journal/79503171/abstract?SRETRY=0

Grue EV, Kirkevold M, Mowinchel P & Ranhoff AH. (2009) Sensory impairment in hip-fracture patients 65 years or older and effects of hearing/vision interventions on fall frequency. J. Multidiscip. Healthcare. 2: 1-11. http://www.dovepress.com/articles.php?article_id=2549

References and Resources Cont’d

McCarvill S. (2005) Essay: Prosthetics for athletes. Lancet. 366(1): S10 – S11. http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxy.library.cornell.edu/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T1B-4HTK0YH-6&_user=492137&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000022719&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=492137&md5=6fc1df7a95e13d85b1eb14e4c39d7172

Zuckerman JD. (1998) Inpatient Rehabilitation After Total Joint Replacement. JAMA. 279: 880. http://jama.ama-assn.org.proxy.library.cornell.edu/cgi/content/full/279/11/880