Total Joint Replacement Surgery

Total joint replacement is surgical procedure in which parts of an arthritic or damaged joint are removed and replaced with a new device called a prosthesis. Some of the most commonly performed joint replacements are hip and knee replacements. Replacement surgery can be performed on other joints as well, such as ankles, wrists, shoulders, and elbows. Replacing a joint can help reduce pain, make you more flexible, and feel much better.

Why and when is joint replacement surgery necessary?

• If joints are damaged from arthritis, overuse, or disease they might need to be replaced
• Before a total joint replacement, an orthopedic doctor will try other treatments to reduce pain such as physical therapy, medications, etc
• Several conditions can cause joint pain such as a fracture, damage to the cartilage, etc which often leads patients to consider joint replacement surgery
• Your doctor may order an x-ray to look at the joint and determine if joint replacement surgery is the appropriate solution

Procedure

Total joint replacement surgery generally takes a few hours to complete. The procedure is performed in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. You will receive medicine, so you won’t feel any pain. During the procedure, your doctor will replace the damaged joint with a new man-made joint (prosthesis). Complications are rare and can be treated if they occur. Common complications include infections or blood clots.

Recovery

Depending on which joint it is, you might have to stay in the hospital for a few days after your procedure. Your doctors will determine how long your recovery is going to take depending on your individual circumstances. After hip or knee replacement, you will often stand or begin walking the day after surgery. You might have to walk with crutches and might have some temporary pain, but it will resolve. Physical therapy will begin shortly after surgery to help strengthen the muscles around your new joint. Exercise is an important part of the recovery process. Our advanced physical therapy center at OCPBC will help you get back to feeling 100%.

OCPBC

If you are having chronic joint pain, one of our specialists can examine you and determine if joint replacement surgery is right for you. Please call us at 561-967-6500 to make an appointment. People can expect their joint replacement to last for many years. Joint replacement improves the quality of life for many people and includes a lot less pain and an improved range of motion.