Joint replacements

Question 1

What is the difference between primary and secondary pathology?

Answer 1

Primary - Trauma/Damage to the joint
Secondary - Degenerative disease process (e.g. osteoporosis)

Question 2

What is the difference between an intracapsular fracture and an extracapsular fracture?

Answer 2

Intracapsular - within the hip joint capsule (femoral neck)
Extracapsular - outside the joint capsule (proximal 1/3 of the femur)

Question 3

What are the symptoms of a hip fracture?

What are the diagnostic tests for a hip fracture?

Answer 3

Symptoms
- External rotation
- Severe pain
- Altered mobility
- Shortening of the leg

Diagnostic tests
- Symptomology
- Physical examination
- X-ray

Question 4

What are the types of hip surgery/replacement?

Answer 4

Total hip replacement
- Removal and replacement of ball and socket

Partial hip replacement
- Replacement of the ball only

Hip resurfacing
- Original joint remains but is covered with a thin sheet of metal (a few mm of bone removed)

Question 5

What are some pre-operative nursing management strategies that occur for a hip fracture?

Answer 5

Management of other health conditions

Analgesia

Discharge planning

Question 6

What are some post-operative nursing management strategies that occur for a hip fracture?

Answer 6

Regular vital observations
- Monitoring for complications

DVT and pressure ulcer prevention

Analgesia

Wound and pain management

Following care instructions regarding surgery
- Taking care when turning patients

Question 7

What are the types of knee surgery/replacement?

Answer 7

Total knee arthroplasty

Unicompartmental (partial) knee arthroplasty

Patellofemoral arthroplasty (Kneecap replacement)