Living with a prosthesis: How does an artificial joint change my everyday life?

Hip and knee replacement surgery is among the most common orthopaedic procedures in Switzerland: according to the implant registry SIRIS, more than 27,000 hip prostheses and more than 26,000 knee prostheses are implanted annually. Arthrosis is the most common reason for needing an artificial joint.

Those who decide to have a prosthesis usually have a long history of suffering behind them. ‘With a prosthesis, we replace a damaged joint that causes great pain due to the friction of bone on bone. A successful operation can therefore change a person's life for the better, especially if they have been suffering from severe pain or restricted mobility,’ says orthopaedic surgeon Dr Jens Forberger, co-founder of the Zentrum für Orthopädie und Traumatologie Zürichsee AG (ZOTZ).

How long does recovery take?

After the operation, patience and sufficient time for recovery are required: especially with a knee prosthesis, the focus in the first three to four months after the operation is on restoring joint function, building muscle and increasing mobility. Definitive healing can be expected after about a year. In contrast, mobility and function are restored very quickly after hip replacement surgery, although the recovery process can vary. Some patients are able to walk without pain and without crutches as early as one week after surgery.

How quickly a patient recovers after an artificial joint replacement depends not only on the doctors, nurses and physiotherapy, but also on the patients themselves: they can greatly influence the healing process.

At Rosenklinik, for example, they are thoroughly prepared for the procedure, informed and accompanied beyond their stay at the clinic using the agile+® fast-track procedure. ‘agile+® is characterised by good patient education, rapid mobilisation, the absence of drains, adapted surgical and anaesthetic procedures, and short hospital stays. After an artificial hip replacement, you spend an average of two nights in the clinic; for a knee prosthesis, it's three nights,’ explains Dr Forberger. ’All of this reduces the complication rate and has a positive effect on the healing process. Our patients experience less pain and are back to a higher activity level faster.’

Nevertheless, the recovery period should not be underestimated. According to Dr Forberger, typical challenges after the operation include pain, inflammation, swelling and impatience on the part of the patient, especially with knee prostheses.

Lindsey Vonn skis at the highest level with a prothesis. Will I be able to ski again after surgery?

According to Dr Forberger, skiing is theoretically possible with almost every prosthesis design, but the lifespan of the artificial joint can be affected depending on the level.
‘Lindsey Vonn has an internal partial knee replacement. This preserves the cruciate ligaments and sensitivity of the knee, giving her a very close to her own joint feeling,’ explains the specialist. ‘However, the contact area between the prosthesis and the bone is small and the pressure per unit area is rather high. This increases with the strain in the speed and technical disciplines. It remains to be seen how long skiing at such a high level is possible with a partial joint replacement and when the revision operation will be necessary.’

Returning to everyday life with a prosthesis

No one chooses to have a prosthesis fitted, nor is it a particularly pleasant experience. However, it is a good option when conservative treatments are no longer achieving the desired results.

‘A knee or hip prosthesis can significantly improve your quality of life, especially if pain or limited mobility are severely affecting you. After the adjustment period and a little training, you will notice how much more active and independent you are again,’ summarises Dr. Forberger.