Joint Replacement Surgery

Joint replacement surgery at Reid

Joint replacement (also called arthroplasty) can offer significant pain relief from age- and injury-related joint conditions. However, having a joint replaced requires a great deal of trust and an experienced surgical team.

At Reid Health Orthopedics & Spine, our surgeons use advanced orthopedic imaging and robotic surgical technologies to plan joint replacements with accuracy and precision. Whether you have knee or hip pain, you’ll find the solutions you need right here at Reid in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio.

What is joint replacement surgery?

During a joint replacement, your orthopedic surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage and replaces them with artificial parts made of plastic, metal, or ceramic. A man-made joint is often called a prosthesis.

A joint is a point in your body where two or more bones meet. Joints contain bone, cartilage, and other tissues to help them move smoothly. Certain joint conditions, such as arthritis, can damage the bone or cartilage and prevent your joint from functioning like it used to. When that occurs, you might need joint replacement surgery.

When it’s time to consider a joint replacement

Damage related to arthritis is the most common reason people have joint replacements.  

When you first develop arthritis or another joint condition, your healthcare provider might want to try nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy, pain medications, or joint injections. When those no longer help your joint pain, they might recommend joint replacement surgery. 

Types of joint replacement surgery

At Reid, our orthopedic surgeons can replace knees, hips, and shoulders, and we offer shoulder revision surgery. On average, an artificial joint can last a decade or longer. Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques.

Total hip replacement

Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball — the head of the femur — sits in a socket in your hip bone.  

Most people who have a hip replaced have a total hip replacement. The surgeon replaces the damaged bone with a metal or ceramic ball and the cartilage with a metal socket.  

Partial hip replacement

Partial hip replacements are less common but can help people with damage to the femoral head. In these procedures, only the ball is replaced.  

Total knee replacement

Your knee is a meeting place for three bones: the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap). Cartilage at the end of each bone helps the joint move and prevents the bones from rubbing together.

Typically, total knee replacement surgery becomes necessary when the cartilage wears down and the ends of the bones are damaged. During the procedure, your surgeon will remove the cartilage and parts of the femur and tibia to replace them with metal implants. If your patella is damaged, they might also replace part of that bone with a plastic component.

Partial knee replacement

A partial knee replacement is similar to a total knee replacement, except your surgeon will replace damaged bone and cartilage in only one area and leave healthy tissues intact.  

This procedure can help when only bone and cartilage on the inside, outside, or front of the knee have worn down. You might recover faster than you would after a total knee replacement, but often, people who have a partial knee replacement need additional surgery later in life.

Shoulder replacement

Shoulder replacements can help many causes of shoulder pain, including arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, severe bone deterioration (avascular necrosis), and fractures.

Like your hip, your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The head of your humerus (the ball of the joint) fits into the glenoid socket, which sits at the end of your shoulder blade and is lined with cartilage.

A total shoulder replacement involves replacing the head of your humerus and the damaged socket with metal parts. In some cases, only the head of the humerus needs to be replaced or resurfaced. This procedure is called a hemiarthroplasty.

Reverse shoulder replacement

You might qualify for a reverse shoulder replacement if you have a severely injured shoulder or rotator cuff.  

Similar to a total shoulder replacement, the ball and socket are replaced. However, in a total shoulder replacement, your surgeon matches your normal anatomy — the new ball is attached to your arm bone and the new socket is placed in your shoulder blade. In a reverse shoulder replacement, the ball is attached to the shoulder bone and the socket is attached to the arm.  

Reversing the components allows muscles other than your rotator cuff to help your arm move.  

Joint revision surgery

Although joint replacements can last many years, they could wear down or become loose over time. When this happens, the implant or parts might need to be replaced, and you might need joint revision surgery.

Reid orthopedic surgeons have the experience needed to perform revision surgeries on your joints and can help you understand the pros and cons. 

Preparing for joint replacement surgery

Within 30 days of your joint replacement surgery, you will have an appointment at the Reid Health Perioperative Care Here, you’ll have a medical evaluation and your medical records reviewed so our perioperative team can ensure you’re as healthy as possible and ready for surgery. If any issues are found that could impact the success of your surgery, you’ll be referred to your specialist or primary care provider so those issues can be addressed.

Recovering from joint replacement surgery

After surgery, you might stay in the hospital for one to two days. Some people, particularly those who don’t have home support, could require inpatient rehabilitation.  

Whether at home or in a rehab facility, it’s critical to follow the guidance of your surgeon to ensure a successful recovery. This could include:

• Participating in physical therapy: Movement is very important as you adjust to your new joint. Your provider might refer you to a physical therapist, who will give you daily exercises and stretches to gradually build strength and prevent stiffness. You might need assistance during the first few weeks, but within three to six weeks, you’ll likely be able to resume light household activities on your own.  
• Taking medication: Your provider might prescribe pain medications during the early days of your recovery. Be sure to follow instructions closely and let your provider know if your pain doesn’t improve.