Joint replacement is a type of surgery that involves removing parts of a joint that have too much damage to repair or reconstruct. Then, your surgeon replaces the damaged joint with a prosthesis, which is a device that mimics the movement of a healthy joint.
The highly skilled surgeons at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Institute perform all types of joint replacement procedures, including:
- Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement
- Total Hip Replacement
- Robot-assisted Total Hip Replacement
- Robot-assisted Total Knee Replacement
- Shoulder Replacement
- Partial Knee Replacement
- Elbow Replacement
When would I need a joint replacement?
Arthritis, which is persistent joint pain and swelling, is the most common reason people get joint replacement surgery. Other conditions that may require joint replacement include severe injuries, such as fractures, that can’t heal on their own.
However, having joint pain doesn’t mean you need a joint replacement. Your orthopedic surgeon at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Institute explores every available nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatment before he recommends joint replacement.
What are the alternatives to joint replacement surgery?
The team at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Institute takes a conservative approach and always preserves as much of your natural joint as possible. Other treatments they may consider before recommending joint replacement include:
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Cortisone injections
- Viscosupplementation
- Home exercise
- Orthotic devices
In some cases, they may be able to repair or reconstruct your painful joint instead of replacing it. They use minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures for many types of joint surgery.
What should I expect from a joint replacement procedure?
If conservative treatment doesn’t provide enough relief and joint replacement is necessary, you can rest assured knowing the surgeons at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Institute are leaders in their field.
They develop an individualized presurgical plan tailored to your unique needs and carefully explain what to expect from your specific procedure. They may perform the procedure in a hospital or at their state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center.
Details vary depending on the type of joint replacement you need, but you should plan on a period of downtime after surgery. Your provider prescribes a plan for physical therapy and/or occupational therapy to facilitate recovery.
For the highest degree of care in joint replacement, repair, and reconstruction, call West Tennessee Bone & Joint Institute or schedule an appointment online today.