Total Joint Arthroplasty
Total joint replacement (or arthroplasty) is surgery performed to reconstruct of replace a diseased joint. It can be performed on any joints of the body, including the hip, knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers. Hip and knee total joint replacements are the most common.
What is it?
Bones in the joint are reshaped or replaced with plastic or metal prosthesis.
Who is a good candidate?
Patients who can no longer control joint pain or achieve acceptable mobility with home care, medicine, joint injections, physical therapy and exercise.
What happens in the surgery?
The prosthesis has two parts: a cap that fits closely into a matching sturdy cup. They are made out of plastic and metal. Plastic bone cement may be used to set the prosthesis into the bone. Joint replacements also can be implanted without cement if the specific prosthesis and the bone are designed to fit and lock together directly.
What is the recovery time?
You will be in the hospital approximately 3 days depending on your rehabilitation progress and your clinical recovery. The goal is to go directly home by the end of your stay. If the joint replacement team feels that you are not ready to go directly home, we will discuss other options with you and your family and help make those arrangements.
Your surgeon may order home physical therapy until you can safely get in and out of a car or, if you are already able, will order outpatient physical therapy. The staff will clarify the discharge plan with your surgeon before you are discharged.
The main results you may expect from your total joint anthroplasty are relief of painand improved function. While it may be some time before the soreness goes away, the disabling pain that prevented you from performing many activities will be gone.
How long will the replacement last?
Total joint replacement lasts around 20 years or more for 80% of recipients. This is why it is usually recommended for older people. However, sometimes infections, dislocation, wear on the prosthesis or a loosening of the bone cause a need for a revision sooner.
What are the risks?
There are always risks when anesthesia is used. In addition, there are rare occurrences of infection, blood clots, nerve damage and loosening of the bone. The prosthesis will show wear over time and must be replaced.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).