Joint replacement surgery refers to highly advanced surgical procedures that replace damaged joints to relieve pain and restore joint function and mobility. It is often recommended after all conservative methods of treatment have been exhausted and fail to bring relief. Joint replacement is a safe and effective solution that offers long-term relief from chronic joint pain.
The most common types of total joint replacement surgery involve the shoulder, hip, and knee.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Arthritis, a torn rotator cuff, and a broken shoulder bone are just a few reasons why an orthopaedic surgeon may recommend shoulder replacement surgery. Anatomic shoulder replacement surgery is often recommended for patients with advanced osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and involves the removal and replacement of the top of the arm bone with an artificial metal stem. A reverse shoulder replacement surgery, most suitable for patients with rotator cuff injuries, involves the attachment of an artificial ball to the shoulder blade, while the top socket is attached to the top arm bone.
Hip Replacement Surgery
Also called hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery involves the removal of damaged portions of a hip joint and replacing them with artificial parts. Arthritis is the number one reason why a patient may need hip replacement surgery. Often times, the patient has reached a stage where pain symptoms are severe, and the disability impacts the quality of life.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Also known as knee arthroplasty, this procedure is the most common joint replacement surgery in the United States. Over 790,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed in the country each year, and it is one of the most successful procedures in all of the surgery. The procedure involves the removal of the damaged bone and cartilage from the medial (inside) or lateral (outside) portion of the knee to be replaced with artificial parts or prostheses. A knee replacement surgery is either partial or total, with the former replacing only a few damaged parts and the latter involving the replacement of the entire joint.
Are You Eligible For A Total Joint Replacement Procedure?
Total joint replacement surgery is safe and has made countless patients’ lives better. However, not every patient is eligible for the procedure. Most of the time, patients with advanced-stage arthritis, a severely damaged joint that is beyond natural repair, or a chronic rotator cuff injury are eligible. To find out if joint replacement surgery is right for you, see an orthopaedic surgeon for a thorough evaluation of your condition and symptoms.
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon in Watertown, NY
If joint pain has made your life difficult and you are interested in finding out if you may be a good candidate for total joint replacement, the orthopaedic surgeons at North Country Orthopaedic Group are happy to speak with you about your options. Our specialty lies in treating joint and orthopedic conditions and injuries with a variety of non-surgical and surgical solutions. We routinely perform total joint replacement surgery as well as other less invasive procedures.
To schedule an evaluation with a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, call (315) 782-1650 or request an appointment online now.
