By Gillian Ellison

Published at 11:10, Thursday, 17 May 2012

PEOPLE in Copeland are being invited to share their experiences of knee and hip replacements with new patients.

A hip and joint replacement is a common type of surgery where a damaged joint is replaced with an artificial one, known as prosthesis.

Patients are being invited to join a debate on the joint replacement procedure, which will also offer people the opportunity to discuss their options or concerns.

A hip joint can become damaged through osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or a hip fracture.

Many of the conditions treated with a hip replacement are age-related so they are usually carried out in older adults aged between 60 and 80. However, it may also be necessary in children or younger adults whose hips do not develop in the right way.

Knee replacement is a routine operation for knee pain when the joint has been severely damaged, most commonly by arthritis. There are two main types of surgery, depending on the condition of the knee: total knee replacement and partial (half) knee replacement.

Both are invasive treatments which require surgery and rehabilitation.

Christine Harrison, locality public engagement lead for Copeland said: “The aim of the project is to get people who have had a replacement done, or have chosen not to, to share their experience with people who are thinking of having the operation.

“We’ve all heard good and bad stories, but this is an opportunity to share experiences and concerns.

“So if you are thinking of having a replacement, you decided not to have one or have had the procedure, we would like to hear your experience. Anyone who has had an operation, those who are considering one or those who declined, all are invited to take part in an open discussion. The event will be a group session including a medical expert experienced in hip and knee replacements.”

From April 2010 to April 2011, the NHS performed just over 70,000 hip and 70,000 knee replacements in England.

For further information and to register your interest in attending, contact Christine on 01900 324244 or email christine.harrison@cumbriapct.nhs.uk

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk