JOINT REPLACEMENT
Dr. Bedford performs shoulder, knee, and hip replacements. He may recommend a joint replacement, or arthroplasty, if you have severe end-stage osteoarthritis and/or have failed to see improvement of your symptoms with other treatment measures such as physical therapy, bracing, and oral or injectable medications. Click here to learn more about non-operative arthritis care.
Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage which coats the ends of bones becomes thinned, worn, and soft. When this cartilage, called articular cartilage, degenerates, it is not able to take up load or force as before. This results in a joint that is stiff, creaky, swollen, painful, and may have clicking or grinding.
Joint replacement is the definitive treatment option for pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Total Hip Arthroplasty
Hip replacement surgery involves removing arthritic areas of bone (the femur and acetabulum of the pelvis) and replacing them with implants. The “socket” portion of the replacement is a metal implant with a plastic polymer insert to act as a shock absorber for the joint. The “ball” portion of the replacement is comprised of a metal stem with a ceramic ball which then fits into the polymer insert of the “socket.” Joint replacement implants are designed to last 25 or more years.
Following hip replacement surgery, you will be able to bear weight and walk to your level of comfort. A walker is often needed for about a week, followed by transition to a cane, until you are walking assistance free. Aggressive physical therapy beginning the day of surgery is done to quickly regain range of motion and strength of the hip and minimize swelling and pain.
Overall recovery time ranges, but patients are often performing minimal activities of daily living comfortably by four weeks post operative, and are back to more strenuous physical activity (such as playing tennis) by 6 months post operative. Full recovery to all pre-surgery activities is expected following hip replacement surgery.
Total Knee Arthroplasty
Knee replacement surgery involves removing arthritic areas of bone (the femur, tibia, and patella) and replacing them with implants most often made of metal compounds. Between metal implants is a plastic polymer insert which acts as the new “shock absorber” for the knee. Joint replacement implants are designed to last 25 or more years.
Following knee replacement surgery, you will be able to bear weight and walk on the knee to your level of comfort. A walker is often needed for about two weeks, followed by transition to a cane, until you are walking assistance free. Aggressive physical therapy beginning the day of surgery is done to quickly regain range of motion and strength of the knee and minimize swelling and pain.
Overall recovery time ranges, but patients are often performing minimal activities of daily living comfortably by three months post operative, and are back to more strenuous physical activity (such as playing tennis) by 6-9 months post operative. Full recovery to all pre-surgery activities is expected following knee replacement surgery.
Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Shoulder replacement surgery involves removing the arthritic areas of bone (either of the humerus, the glenoid, or both) and replacing them with implants most often made of metal compounds. Between metal implants is placed a plastic polymer insert which allows the joint to glide smoothly. Joint replacement implants are designed to last 25 or more years.
Following shoulder replacement surgery, you will be in an arm sling for approximately six weeks. During this time, you will begin early physical therapy to restore range of motion of the joint. Once you are advised to remove your sling, you will begin muscle retraining to gain strength and functional use with your new joint replacement.
Overall recovery time ranges, but patients are often performing minimal activities of daily living comfortably by eight weeks post operative, and are back to more strenuous physical activity by 6-9 months post operative. Full recovery to most pre-surgery activities is expected following shoulder replacement surgery, although some minor changes in strength or range of motion may be felt with aggressive or repetitive overhead motions, such as serving in tennis or pitching a baseball.