Joint Replacement

What is joint replacement?

Joint replacement is a type of surgery to remove severely damaged parts of a joint and replace them with a prosthesis that functions similarly. The team at Twin Palm Orthopedics uses high-quality prostheses to enhance surgical outcomes for their patients. You can get a replacement for the joints you use the most after they accumulate damage from osteoarthritis.

After any joint replacement surgery at Twin Palm Orthopedics, you take part in rehabilitative physical therapy for several months, depending on the specific joint replacement you receive. 

For many joint replacement surgeries, the Twin Palm Orthopedics team uses cutting-edge Mako® robotic-arm-assisted technology. Robotic surgery offers a higher level of precision than more traditional techniques. 

Which types of joint replacement can I get?

The skilled surgeons at Twin Palm Orthopedics specialize in replacement surgeries for joints that commonly get lots of damage from arthritis and other joint diseases. They assess the damaged joint using X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see how much damage there is and can perform:

Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint replacement

Your CMC joint is the joint at the base of your thumb. When arthritis affects it, the joint loses some of its range of motion. Fortunately, joint replacement surgery is available to restore some of your thumb joint mobility and ease pain and inflammation.

Hip joint replacement

Hip joint replacement removes damaged parts of your hip joint to replace the ball and socket mechanism. After recovering from hip replacement, your ability to lift, move your hip, and gait mechanics are restored.

Knee joint replacement

Knee replacement removes the damaged or worn out parts of the thigh and shin bones. The natural ligaments are preserved. Metal caps are placed robotically which promotes better motion for your knee. Once you recover and rehabilitate the joint, you can live without the arthritic pain and return to a highly active lifestyle.   

Shoulder joint replacement

Shoulder joint replacement restores the range of motion and strength of your shoulder, the most mobile joint in your body. This allows you to lift and rotate your arm in various directions. 

Elbow joint replacement

Elbow joint replacement is less common than other joint replacement surgeries like hip or knee replacement, but it treats instability and pain from arthritis or a severe fracture. 

Who can benefit from joint replacement surgery?

As with many injuries and conditions, the first steps in arthritis treatment and treatment for other conditions limiting joint mobility are nonsurgical. The Twin Palm Orthopedics team looks over your joint and evaluates the extent of the damage before creating your treatment plan. 

You might be a candidate for joint replacement surgery if you have:

• Not seen substantial results from numerous nonoperative treatments
• Significant stiffness and loss of mobility
• Pain that limits your work, sport, or day-to-day activities
• An advanced case of arthritis

Twin Palm Orthopedics may recommend other surgeries for your joint damage instead, like partial knee joint replacement, if better options for you exist. 

To learn more about joint replacement surgery for your painful knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, or hand/CMC, book an appointment by phone or request one online at Twin Palm Orthopedics today.