Joint Replacement Specialist

What conditions need a joint replacement?

Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine performs knee, hip, and shoulder replacements for people with advanced arthritis. When arthritis causes significant damage to the bones and cartilage in your joint, a prosthetic joint replacement is the only treatment option.

You could also need a joint replacement if you have a severe fracture or avascular necrosis, a condition in which the loss of blood causes bone death. 

Additionally, a shoulder condition called rotator cuff arthropathy often needs a joint replacement. Rotator cuff arthropathy occurs when a chronic rotator cuff tears, causing joint instability and arthritis.

What symptoms indicate I would benefit from a joint replacement?

You should consider a joint replacement when:

• Your joint pain occurs daily
• Your joint pain stops you from everyday activities
• Your joint pain continues even when resting
• Nonsurgical treatments don't improve your symptoms

If you have these symptoms, there's a good chance you qualify for a new joint.

What happens during joint replacement surgery?

Your provider follows the same basic procedure no matter what joint you need to replace. They remove all of the damaged tissues and shape the bones to fit the new prosthetic pieces. Then they implant the components.

Joint replacements consist of metal, ceramic, and plastic components. The pieces that are used to replace the ends of the bones are made of metal or ceramics. Plastic pieces replace cartilage, so they go between the metal or ceramic components.

Though the basic procedure remains the same, there are some joint replacement variations, including:

Partial joint replacement

Depending on the health of your knee, hip, or shoulder, your provider may do a partial joint replacement. Instead of giving you an entirely new joint, they only replace the top of your leg or arm or one of the three compartments in your knee.

Reverse total shoulder replacement

Your rotator cuff includes several muscles that move your arm. If you have severe rotator cuff damage, your provider can reverse your shoulder joint. In a normal shoulder, your upper arm bone is shaped like a ball, and it fits into the cup-shaped shoulder socket.

During a reverse joint replacement, your provider places a metal ball where the socket was and turns the upper arm into the new socket. Reversing the joint allows different muscles to move your arm.

To learn more about joint replacements, call Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.