A total joint replacement is often an effective solution for painful, worn out, or otherwise damaged joints. Whether the injury is acute (sudden) and due to an accident, or it’s caused by a chronic, degenerative condition such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, newer joint replacement techniques and other advanced therapies allow patients to regain strength, more natural range of motion, relieve pain and restore function. Symptoms that may be addressed by a joint replacement include pain, stiffness, swelling, frozen or locked joints, joint tenderness, warmth in the joint, limited range of motion, grinding or popping of the joint, and weakness or instability of the joint.
Common Joint Replacements Include
The most common joints replaced are hip, knee, ankle, wrist, shoulder, and elbow. Other joints, such as the thumb, big toe, and finger joints can also be replaced when necessary. There are over 150 kinds of replacement joints made for knees alone. Each year, approximately 1 million people in the United States alone will undergo joint replacement surgery.
And while total joint replacement may be a strong option, in many cases a partial joint replacement (which conserves and spares as much natural material as possible) may also be a viable treatment option. Joint preservation, for instance, is an advanced concept that allows the orthopedic surgeon to restore more normal function through a combination of medications, targeted rehabilitation and physical therapy, injections, activity modifications, bracing, and other treatments.
Additionally, newer techniques and methods, such as using an anterior (front) approach, allow the surgeon to implant a new hip replacement joint in a less invasive manner, therefore less traumatic to the body. This kind of innovative treatment promotes less overall downtime, fewer restrictions on daily activities, and faster recovery times.
Dr. Jeffrey Carrol, a board-certified orthopedic specialist, has the exceptional training and experience required to provide patients with advanced joint reconstruction, and replacement procedures for both hips and knees. Most patients are able to stand and or walk just hours after the surgery and are often driving themselves in as little as one week.
Only a qualified orthopedic surgeon can determine if a joint replacement procedure is right for you. If you, or someone you love, is suffering from debilitating joint pain, loss of function or range of motion, or is experiencing other joint related symptoms, or you would simply like more information about joint replacement surgery, please call Dr. Jeffrey Carroll at Movement Orthopedics.
Dr. Carroll has the advanced orthopedic training and surgical experience you need to get to, and stay at, the top of your game – both on the field of glory, and in the game of life. Please call us today at (586) 436-3785 or request an appointment online.
