Total Joint Replacement
Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure to remove and replace an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis). It should be considered only after other treatment options have failed to provide adequate relief from pain and/or disability typically caused by severe arthritis.

Most total joint replacements involve hip and knee joints, however, total joint replacement also can be performed on joints in the ankle, shoulder, fingers and elbow.

Individuals with a total joint replacement still can lead active lifestyles. Exercise is important in the recovery process as well as in the years following the surgery. A proper exercise program can help restore mobility and strength in the joint.

While most patients who undergo hip replacement surgery are ages 60 to 80, orthopedic surgeons evaluate patients individually. Recommendations for surgery are based on the extent of your pain, disability and general health status, not solely on age.

You may benefit from hip replacement surgery if:

• hip pain limits your everyday activities such as walking and bending
• hip pain continues while resting
• stiffness in a hip limits your ability to move or lift your leg
• anti-inflammatory drugs provide little pain relief
• you have harmful or unpleasant side effects from your hip medications
• other treatments such as physical therapy don't relieve hip pain.

Your surgeon will evaluate you and discuss whether hip replacement surgery is the best method to relieve your pain and improve your mobility. Other treatment options such as medications, physical therapy or other types of surgery also may be considered. There are a variety of hip replacement techniques that can be used:

The new muscle-sparing replacement costs the same for the patient as the traditional procedure. The long-term results of both procedures are the same. The average patient age is 60 years old. All people are good candidates unless they previously had surgery or have significant deformity of the joint.

Navigation-Assisted Surgery
Navigation systems offer surgeons the ability to use electronic imaging to accurately track in real time where the instruments are relative to the patient’s anatomy during the operation. By combining computers, infrared cameras and wireless instruments, these systems give surgeons far more accuracy than ever before. The navigation equipment helps surgeons to align things better, to see more clearly and to instantly adjust to the unique anatomies of different individuals. Benefits:

• Allows more orthopedic surgeons to perform muscle-sparing joint replacement surgical technique with greater accuracy.
• Improved patient outcomes – strength, stability, range of movement, shorter hospitalization.
• Provides a visual confirmation and verification for the surgeon.
• Enables a more precise implantation.
• Does not require pre-operative X-rays or CT scans.
• Provides the surgeon with a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s hip mechanics before any bone is cut.
• Allows the surgeon to make adjustments to within a fraction of a degree, ensuring the fit for the prosthesis, improved joint motion and greater longevity of the implant.

Revision Joint Replacement
Revision total joint replacement involves the replacement of an existing prosthesis with a new prosthesis. In total joint replacement, an original total hip replacement has two components. A revision procedure may replace any or all of the components. The new prosthesis can be another of the original type of prosthesis (called a primary), a prosthesis especially made for revision surgery, or a prosthesis especially made for your case (called a custom).

Osteotomy
Osteotomy may be appropriate if you are younger than age 60, active or overweight. There must also be uneven damage to the joint, correctable deformity and no inflammation. The surgeon reshapes the bone to improve your alignment. The healthy bone and cartilage is realigned to compensate for the damaged tissue. Osteotomy relieves pain and may delay the progression of osteoarthritis.

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a disorder of the adolescent hip where the ball at the upper end of the femur (thigh bone) slips off in a backward direction due to weakness of the growth plate. Most often, it develops in males during periods of accelerated growth, shortly after the onset of puberty.

Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. A fiberoptic scope and small instruments are inserted through small puncture wounds instead of an open incision. The scope is connected to a television monitor where the surgeon can perform the repair under video control. They can then determine the amount or type of injury, and repair or correct the problem, if necessary. There are many kinds of arthroscopy.