Minimally Invasive Joint Replacement Surgery

These procedures can be performed on an inpatient or out patient basis depending on the individual circumstances. Physical therapy is commenced the day of surgery. Rehabilitation may include postoperative passive motion.  Emphasis is on the return to activity accelerated by using regional anesthetics, minimal narcotics and immediate weight bearing physical therapy. This treatment minimizes patient discomfort and post-operative nausea and allows for early return to regular activity.

Knee: Partial / Complete Replacement

A knee replacement is recommended for patients with arthritis and certain knee injuries or diseases that have not responded well to conservative treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications or injections. The replacement devices are designed to relieve pain caused by cartilage damage, and usually last up to 20 years in most patients. Partial knee replacements are being performed in increasing numbers.  Many patients who were thought to be candidates for total kne replacement are now having a partial replacement only.  Candidates for partial replacement will have been treated previously with medication, bracing,  and injection therapy.  Partial replacements are  considered if only the medial or lateral compartment of the knee has articular cartilage damage, the knee is close to normal alignment, knee stability is present and the patient does not have an inflammatory type of arthritis or metabolic disorder such as gout.  Partial replacement procedures may be done on an outpatient basis.  Patients can expect a shorter recovery time compared to a complete knee replacement, pain relief and a return to their routine activities.

Complete knee replacement is indicated for those patients with articular cartilage loss in more than one compartment of the knee.   As with partial replacements, patients needing complete knee replacement of the knee will  often have previously been treated with antiinflammatory medication, injection therapy and possibly physical therapy.  Hospital stay and recovery have improved with current surgical techniques, regional anesthetics and accelerated rehabilitation protocols.  Some patients for knee replacement are candidates for outpatient surgery or overnight stay only.  Most patients who undergo a correctly performed knee replacement should expect many years of pain relief and return to their activites.

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is required when the patient cannot perform their regular activities due to hip arthritis.  Minimally invasive techniques,  regional anesthesia, local anesthetic blocks and accelerated rehabilitation allow patients to recover quickly often with a hospital stay of not more than two days.

Joint replacement surgery removes the damaged, painful parts of the hip and replaces them with a prosthesis made of metal and plastic. The artificial joint can relieve pain and improve mobility when your natural hip can no longer do its job. An artificial ball and metal stem replaces the worn head of the thigh bone and a metal cup and artificial liner replaces the worn socket of the pelvis. The prosthesis allows the hip joint to move smoothly, so patients can enjoy a greater range of pain-free movement.

Shoulder Replacement: Partial/Complete Replacement

Shoulder replacement may be partial or complete, i.e. the ball surface only versus the ball and socket.  Shoulder replacement may be required for those patients who have shoulder pain not responsive to conservative care, and documented cartilage loss of the shoulder joint.  Partial replacement may be sufficient to allow the patient to return to their active lifestyle.  Partial replacement may be performed on an outpatient basis, is a more conservative procedure to the shoulder, may have a greater longevity than a full replacement, and may be converted to a full replacement if necessary. Partial replacement is often selected in younger more active patients.