Joint Replacement [2]

The goals of joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) are simple: to relieve pain, to provide motion while maintaining stability, and to correct deformity. Two of the most important technical requirements in joint replacement surgery are positioning the components properly and fixing them to the bone securely. These synthetic materials, when properly implanted, consistently achieve high success rates in follow-up studies.

What Joints Can Be Replaced?

The majority of joint replacement surgery is done for the knee and the hip. However, shoulder, elbow, and ankle arthroplasty is now available. Joints are replaced because of degenerative arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or when a fracture is so severe that it cannot be repaired. Arthroplasty can replace the entire joint (total joint replacement) or only a portion of the joint.

• Total Hip Replacement
  Hip replacement is done primarily for older patients with arthritis or for certain types of hip fractures that cannot be repaired.
• Hip Hemiarthroplasty (Partial-Hip Replacement)
  Most commonly used for displaced hip fractures in the elderly; two types of hemiarthroplasty are available: Unipolar and Bipolar.
• Knee Joint Replacement
  For advanced arthritis or fractures that are not amenable to internal fixation, unicompartmental knee replacement is done.
• Unicondylar Knee Replacement
  Only one compartment of the knee is resurfaced (femur or tibia), depending on the extent of knee joint degeneration.
• Shoulder Joint Replacement
  Shoulder joint replacement is similar to total hip replacement, except the shoulder socket (glenoid) is more shallow and flat.
• Elbow Joint Replacement
  Used primarily in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or for certain fractures that are not amenable to internal fixation.
• Total Elbow Replacement
  Total elbow replacement is useful for traumatic injuries in elderly patients where fixation of a comminuted fracture is not possible.
• Ankle Joint Replacement
  Ankle replacement is a growing alternative to ankle fusion for the treatment of ankle arthritis. See Ankle Joint Replacement.

After Joint Replacement Surgery

Early mobilization of the patient is the key to reducing complications after joint replacement surgery. Modern practice is to mobilize patients as soon as possible and ambulate with walking aids when tolerated. Depending on the joint involved and the pre-op status of the patient, hospitalization varies from 1 day to 2 weeks with the average being 4-7 days. Joint replacement surgery is often followed by several months of rehabilitation therapy.

Physiotherapy is used extensively to help patients recover function after joint replacement surgery. Because the muscles take time to heal after arthroplasty, a graded exercise program is recommended. At first, exercises for range of motion and ambulation should not be strenuous. Later, when the muscles are healed, the therapy expands to include strengthening exercises.

Are You A Candidate For Joint Replacement?

Joint replacement is indicated for persons with a painful, disabling arthritic joint that is no longer responsive to conservative treatment. Although total joint replacement may be indicated in younger people, especially those with multiple joint involvement from a systemic disorder, the procedure generally is reserved for older individuals and those with a relatively sedentary lifestyle. Reconstructive procedures such as arthrodesis or osteotomy may be preferable for very young patients, very active older patients, and heavy laborers.

Contact Southwest Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists, PLC.

For more information, call Southwest Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists in Tucson, AZ at (520) 327-9677. For your convenience, you may Request an Appointment through our web site.