FAQs

What is Total Joint Arthroplasty?

This is the same thing as joint replacement.

Arthro=Joint
Plasty=Reconstruction

Therefore, total joint arthroplasty describes the process whereby a surgeon removes the arthritic or worn out portion and replaces them with a prosthesis typically made from metal and surgical high grade plastic (polyethylene).

Who is a candidate for Total Joint Arthroplasty and how do they qualify?

The typical joint replacement patient is described as someone who has chronic pain and loss of mobility due to arthritis. Other reasons for joint replacement include congenital deformities and severe trauma/fractures in the joint area.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease causing deterioration of the joint cartilage and other joint tissues with the formation of new bone (bone spurs) at the margins of the joints.

Osteo=Bone
Arthro=Joint
Itis=Inflammation

The cartilage of the affected joint is damaged and becomes worn down. As the disease progresses, so much of the cartilage is worn down that the bone ends start to rub against each other. Bony spurs may develop around the joint, causing pain and inflammation.

Who is affected by osteoarthritis?

It may first appear without symptoms between 20 and 30 years of age and is present in almost everyone by the age of 70. Symptoms appear in middle age. Before the age of 55 it occurs equally in both sexes; however, after 55 the incidence is higher in women. Approximately 4 out of 100 people are affected.

What will a hip/knee replacement do for me?

Hip replacement and knee replacement have the same objective in mind. Total joint replacement surgery has become one of the most successful surgical procedures. The goal of a replacement surgery is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and improve the quality of life by allowing a patient to return to daily activities previously lost.

How successful is Total Joint Arthroplasty

It is now generally accepted that a joint replacement will have a 95% success rate at 15 to 20 years making it one of the most frequent and successful surgical procedures currently performed.

Is surgery my only option?

Not necessarily. There are many alternatives to surgery. Although the information provided on our site is helpful in understanding your health, this site should not serve as a self diagnosis tool. A professional medical consultation should be obtained in-order to determine treatment options.

What is the recovery process, how long are recovery times?

The physician or therapist that you will be working with often customizes recovery and rehabilitation programs. However, there are some components of the physical rehabilitation that are generally common.

Many physicians and other practitioners advocate pre-operative physical training to increase muscle strength. Usually therapy begins immediately post-operatively to address general functional movements, and dressing changes. Typically patients begin to ambulate within the first 24 to 48 hours on a restricted basis.

Patient discharge from the hospital normally occurs between 5-10 days with improved motion and ambulation assisted by a cane or walker. Depending on the type of procedure that was performed, some patients utilize a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine during this phase of recovery.

Patients begin to gain functional independence and return to routine activities between 3-12 weeks. Gradual improvement to a full recovery can take place for the next 3-12 months.