Total Joint Replacement

The knee joint is composed of three parts: the end of the femur (thigh bone), the top of the tibia (shin bone), and the patella (knee cap). In a normal knee, these three bones are covered with a smooth cartilage that cushions the bones and enables them to move easily. In the arthritic knee, the cartilage layers are destroyed resulting in bone rubbing against bone which causes pain, muscle weakness and limited motion. Total knee replacement surgery involves the resurfacing of the knee joint. Metal components are cemented to the ends of the bones and a plastic liner is inserted between them. The kneecap is also resurfaced with a plastic liner. When in place, these components move together to allow normal motion of the knee joint. Bow leg or knock knee deformity can usually be corrected by the new alignment.

Your hip joint is composed of two parts:  the round head of the femur (the ball) and the acetabulum (the cup or socket in your pelvis). In a normal hip joint these two bones are coated with smooth articular cartilage that allows them to move against each other without friction or pain. In an arthritic hip, the cartilage layers are destroyed, and bone rubs against bone causing pain and limiting motion.  Hip replacement surgery replaces your arthritic hip joint with an artificial joint composed of a ball component and a socket component.  The metal ball is attached to a stem that fits into your thigh bone. This component can be cemented or non-cemented depending on your age and the condition of your bone. A plastic liner with an outer metal sheet is secured into your pelvis.  A combination of a cemented ball and a non-cemented socket also may be used. Your orthopedic surgeon will choose the type of components that best meets your individual needs.  Once in place, the artificial ball and socket functions in essentially the same manner as your natural hip.

The most common cause of joint pain that lead to the need for a total joint replacement, is arthritis. There are different types of arthritis, however, most joint pain is caused by three main types: rheumatoid, osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis.

Symptoms:

• Pain in the joint(s)
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Joints may be warm and tender to the touch
• Boney deformities may been seen or felt around the affected joint

Arthritis is loss of cartilage (cushioning material) between the bones resulting in bone-on-bone contact. Loss of this cartilage results in pain and limited range of motion sometimes occurs. The type of arthritis that commonly occurs in the knees is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that may be hereditary or maybe the result of overuse (wear and tear), excess weight, developmental disorders and/or injury. Joint space narrowing as result of cartilage loss, often causes bone spurs to develop and can severely alter joint biomechanics. In severe cases, the joint may become unstable. Occasionally these alterations of normal knee function may lead to visible “bowleg” or “knock-knee” joint deformities. Osteoarthritis can be extremely painful and can cause aching, swelling, and stiff joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of “inflammatory arthritis” and due to the chronic inflammation, can lead to cartilage loss, stiffness and pain. Finally, serious knee injuries earlier in life or acutely, such as fractures or tears of the ligaments (ACL,MCL, PCL or meniscus) may also damage the cartilage over a period of time, causing arthritis later in life.

Implementing lifestyle modifications such as losing weight, switching from high impact exercise (i.e. running) to low-impact exercise (i.e. swimming or biking), and avoiding aggravating activities can be very effective for reducing pain associate with knee arthritis. Even a modest weight loss of only a few pounds can significantly effect the amount of joint pain you’re experiencing. Supplementing with glucosamine, chondroitin or other natural anti-inflammatories may be helpful. Other non-surgical treatments to help relieve pain and discomfort associated with mild cases of arthritis include taking anti-inflammatories, wearing a knee brace or sleeve, using a cane, wearing energy absorbing shoes or inserts, and/or receiving corticosteroid injection(s). While non-surgical treatment can relieve mild cases of the condition, surgery may be necessary if it continues to worsen.

Common Joint Replacement Procedures

• Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement
• Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
• Total Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery
• Total Hip Replacement Surgery (minimally invasive/rapid recovery)
• Small Joint Replacement Surgery in the Fingers
• Small Joint Replacement Surgery in the Toes

Our first joint replacement occurred in June, 2003. Joint replacements in the outpatient setting were a new concept; therefore, few cases were done until approximately June 2007. At that time, the number of patients choosing to have their joint replacement here at our facility began to grow significantly. Patients, as well as surgeons and staff, realized that joint replacement in an ambulatory surgery center setting not only made sense, but that patients recovered faster, had fewer complications and had better experiences than in a hospital setting.

We are proud to be the areas only outpatient surgery center performing outpatient Total Shoulder, Hip, Knee and Ankle replacements. The surgical experts at MVSC have developed the techniques required to ensure an optimal surgical experience and the ability to recover in the safety of your own home which allows for less cost and a faster recovery. Our best advocates of outpatient total joint replacement are our patients. Here is what they have to say about their joint replacement experience at MVSC.

In 2018, we enjoyed reaching the milestone of performing over 2,000 joint replacement surgeries since the inception of our joint replacement program.  The success of our program is based on clinically superior outcomes, cost effective care, and most importantly our patients that definitely recommend us to their friends and family for surgical care.  We are proud to be a part of a surgical experience that our patients can feel good about.