A joint is where two or more bones meet. Joint replacement surgery is a medical procedure that removes diseased and damaged tissue in joints and replaces them with artificial parts called prostheses. The prostheses are designed to replicate the movement of natural components of the joint. Joint replacement surgery is typically used to treat chronic, debilitating pain and to restore mobility for patients who have irreversibly damaged joints.
Several conditions can cause joint pain and disability which can lead to replacement surgery. In most cases, joint replacement surgery is the best option when the cartilage that lines the end of the bones becomes damaged due to arthritis, trauma, or a sports or vehicular injury.
If you have been dealing with chronic pain that results in limited mobility that affects your day-to-day life, joint replacement surgery might be a good fit for you. It can relieve pain and restore your quality of life.
There are a variety of joint replacement procedures performed every year. The type of joint replacement procedure you need depends entirely on the damaged joint as well as the severity of its damage.
Here are the most common types of joint replacement surgery:
Knee Replacement Surgery
A knee replacement surgery is recommended for patients with damage in their knee joint. It is also ideal for those with chronic knee inflammation or a knee deformity. In this procedure, a surgeon will remove damaged cartilage and other tissue at the ends of the femur and tibia. It will be replaced with metal prostheses. A spacer may be inserted between the prostheses for the joint to glide on smoothly. Knee replacement surgery can be done as partial or total, depending on the severity of damage in the joint. Imaging tests prior to the surgery can help determine which parts of the knee need replacing.
Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery
A shoulder joint replacement surgery is ideal for patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff injury, a severe fracture, or arthritis. Depending on the medical condition and severity of the damage, your doctor will let you know which parts of the shoulder need to be replaced.
Hip Replacement Surgery
A hip replacement surgery is usually recommended to patients who have experienced severe trauma or injury that damaged their hip significantly. In this surgery, a doctor will remove the damaged parts of the hip joint and replace them. A spacer will also be inserted in-between the implants for the joints to glide smoothly. Similar to knee replacement, a hip replacement can be partial or total, depending on the severity of damage in the joint.
Orthopedic Care and Joint Replacement Surgery in Watertown, NY
If you are suffering from chronic pain in your joints, seek medical attention today and talk with a trusted doctor with experience dealing with damaged and painful joints.
The experts at North Country Orthopaedic Group have a lot of experience dealing with all types of joint and orthopedic health problems and would love to help you find relief.
Give us a call at (315) 782-1650 today to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you!
