Joint Replacement

What is joint replacement?

Joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a type of surgery that involves removing damaged parts of a joint and replacing them with prosthetic pieces. 

Joints form the connection between bones and support your body’s mobility, helping you sit, stand, walk, write and scratch that itch in the middle of your back. The structure and function of joints make them vulnerable to injuries and diseases that cause damage and pain.

Joint replacement fixes the damage and relieves the pain. Surgery may replace some (partial joint replacement) or all of the damaged joint (total joint replacement).

With advances in surgical tools and techniques, surgeons can perform joint replacement on many joints, including the hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles.

The experienced team at Advanced Regional Center for Orthopedics & Podiatry includes skilled foot and ankle surgeons and orthopedic surgeons who use the newest techniques when performing joint replacement.

When should I consider joint replacement?

Joint replacement surgery might be right for you if you experience severe joint pain that affects your mobility and quality of life. Though joint replacement benefits many people, it’s not the first treatment option for joint pain.

Before suggesting surgery, the team at Advanced Regional Center for Orthopedics & Podiatry may try medical interventions such as:

• Activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Support devices
• Custom-made orthotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Joint injections

If you continue to suffer from severe joint pain after conservative care, your provider may talk to you about joint replacement.

How long is recovery from joint replacement?

Recovery following joint replacement varies and depends on the surgery location, techniques used, and the patient’s compliance with recovery care. Most people are back to their usual activities within a few months, but it can take up to a year to fully recover.

With advanced operative techniques, surgeons can perform joint replacement through tiny incisions with robotic assistance (robot arms that improve surgeon precision), decreasing body damage and recovery time. 

Following the provided activity and exercise guidelines also helps speed your recovery. 

Most people report significant improvements in pain and quality of life after joint replacement, making the recovery time worth it.