Joint Replacement Surgery

An artificial joint or prosthesis replaces and arthritic or damaged joint that is removed. The end goal of the procedure is to relieve the pain in the joint that is from damage to the cartilage. Joint replacement may become an option if the patient does not respond to other treatment to reduce pain and disability.

In general the surgeon will replace the damaged parts of the joint after the patient is given an anesthetic. The replacement parts and materials are usually designed to enable normal joint movement, like the original joint.

After surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon will encourage you to use your new joint through an established progression. Often this includes assistance from a walker, crutch, or cane. Some temporary pain might occur from weak surrounding muscles that should end from exercise in a few weeks or months. The exercise program will vary depending on the replacement and needs of each patient. Motion of the joint will normally improve with time.

Possible complications can occur, but most are successfully treatable. Be sure and inform your surgeon of any medical conditions that you have that might affect the surgery. Minor infections can be treated with antibiotics while major or deep infections could possible require additional surgery or prosthesis removal. Blood clots can result from decreased mobility and might be indicated by pain or swelling in the calf and thigh. Countermeasures suggested by your doctor could be anticoagulants (blood thinners), special elastic stockings, increased blood flow through exercise, or boots that inflate with air to compress the leg muscles. Loosening of the joint replacement in the bone may cause pain and if significant enough, may require a revision. Also dislocation, for example the ball dislodging from the socket in a total hip replacement, can occur, especially after complex revision surgeries. In the case of the hip, it can usually be relocated without any sort of surgery. Wear occurs in all joint replacements, as it does in normal joints. Enough wear can cause loosening and may require revision surgery. Replacements may actually break. Although rare, revision surgery is necessary when this happens. Also infrequent is nerves near the joint replacement being injured. This is more likely in surgery where a major joint deformity is corrected. Often, given time, the nerves will improve and can completely heal.

Total joint replacements can last a decade or more greatly improving one's quality of life. Depending on age, another joint replacement could be necessary although continued research in surgical procedures and joint replacement materials continues to improve the function and lasting power of the replacements.

The topic of joint replacements is very broad as there are many types, sizes, and locations of joints in the body. This general overview is here for informational purposes only and to get a specific diagnosis for your particular situation (sports medicine or orthopedic) please make an appointment with us.

Resources on Joint Replacement

• Joint Revision Surgery - When Do I Need It? - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons article
• Preparing for Joint Replacement Surgery - AAOS Article