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TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT

Also called arthroplasty, total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which certain parts of the arthritic or damaged joint, such as a hip joint, are removed and replaced with a plastic or metal device called a prosthesis, or artificial joint. The artificial joint is designed to move just like a normal, healthy joint.

When other treatment options no longer provide relief, joint replacement may be recommended -- not only to relieve pain but also to prevent the disability it can cause. For example, experiencing joint pain day after day without relief can lead to "staying off" the joint -- which often weakens the muscles around it so it becomes even more difficult to move.

Joint replacement is only used as a last resort after careful diagnosis of your joint problem. Arthroscopic or microscopic surgery is not helpful once arthritis is advanced. Anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone injections may give you short-term relief but surgery is the only long-term solution.

Today, more than 168,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in the United States. First performed in 1960, hip replacement surgery is one of the most important surgical advances of this century. Since then, improvements in joint replacement surgical techniques and technology have greatly increased the effectiveness of this surgery. Similar surgical procedures are performed on other joints, including the knee, shoulder, and elbow.

Both knee and hip replacement are recognized as miracles of modern surgery. Most orthopedic experts consider replacement to be the best method of handling advanced arthritis. Joint replacements have literally put hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans back on their feet and allowed them to enjoy their golden years.

Any further questions you may have regarding Joint Replacement are answered in our Frequently Asked Questions section.