Joint Replacement Surgery

A joint connects two or more bones together, such as the thighbone to the lower leg, or the ball and socket of the hip and shoulder. Every joint is covered with a smooth layer called cartilage, which can become damaged or diseased over time, causing joints to become stiff and painful. People who experience severe joint pain may avoid using it altogether. This causes the muscles surrounding the joint to become weak, and less able to move the joint.

Diagnosis and Treatment
A physical exam and x-ray can help to diagnose the extent of damage to a joint. Initially, your orthopaedic surgeon will explore your non-surgical treatment options, and exhaust those options before moving toward surgery. These options will be fully discussed with you. If other treatment options do not relieve your pain and disability, a partial or full joint replacement may be recommended.

The goal of total joint replacement is to relieve the pain in the joint caused by the damaged cartilage, and enable you to live a fuller, more active life.

When the time comes to consider joint replacement, there are several factors to weigh and steps to take in preparation for the surgery, which your surgeon will explain. You will learn what to expect before, during, and after the surgery, what type of implant will be used, the length of your stay in the hospital, and what kind of rehabilitation and pain management you will undertake. Knowing what challenges lay ahead will help you be prepared for the surgery and recovery.

Joint replacement surgery is typically performed on the hip, knee and shoulder. At Associates in Orthopaedic Surgery, we apply well-studied, modern surgical techniques with the highest rates of success. We then guide you through your rehabilitation to ensure that your recovery can be as swift and painless as possible, restoring you to your previous functionality and a better quality of life.