Joint problems in the knees and hips can happen as we age, causing pain, limiting movement, and disrupting daily life. Joint replacement surgery can ease the pain and limitations caused by severe joint problems. The orthopedic surgeons at WMCHealth are at the cutting edge of advanced treatment techniques in joint replacements. We provide compassionate and expert care and have the necessary expertise to guide you to a life with less pain.
What Is a Joint Replacement?
A joint replacement is a surgical procedure to remove and replace part or all of a damaged joint. The joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of plastic, metal, or a combination of materials. The replacement joint enables movement after recovery without pain or restriction.
When Is Joint Replacement Needed?
Joint replacement is not the first line of treatment for joint problems. Bracing, physical therapy, and steroid injections are all optional treatments for joint conditions. You and your doctor will discuss if a partial or total joint replacement is needed for your condition.
Arthritis is the most common reason for joint replacements, but joints also wear down as we age. Many elderly people require knee or hip replacements due to wear and tear. In some cases, severe injuries or falls may also lead to the need for a joint replacement.
Types of Joint Replacements
The most common types of replacements are knee and hip replacements, but other joints can be replaced, including ankles, wrists, and fingers.
Depending on the severity of the joint damage, it’s possible to have either a total or partial joint replacement. A total joint replacement means all parts of the joint will be replaced, while a partial joint replacement means only the damaged part of the joint will be removed and replaced.
Why Choose WMCHealth?
WMCHealth takes a multidisciplinary approach to joint replacements, with a team that includes physical therapists, nursing staff, pain management professionals, and expert surgeons. Our full-team approach means that you can get full-service care all in one place, close to home.
WMCHealth’s Good Samaritan Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. Good Samaritan Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review, during which The Joint Commission experts evaluated the hospital’s compliance with care standards around treatment and post-operative care.
The expert surgeons at WMCHealth have performed hundreds of these surgeries. They are skilled in traditional surgical methods and the latest in robotic-assisted surgeries, which allow for advanced precision, minimal invasion to soft tissue, and much faster recovery times.
Most patients are able to walk on the same day of surgery, returning to their lives, families, and homes with a new hip or knee.
Pain management is an important part of the joint replacement approach at WMCHealth. The multidisciplinary team includes experts in pain management who are trained in methods like mindfulness to help with pre- and post-operative discomfort.