Joint replacement
In a total knee replacement, the damaged surfaces of the three parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts.
Patient satisfaction after a total knee replacement is high. Most people have much less pain and are able to resume the activities they used to enjoy.
There almost a million knee replacement surgeries performed every year and it is considered one of the most successful surgeries in medicine.
The knee joint is divided into three parts: the tibia (shin bone), the femur (thigh bone), and the patella (knee cap). If only one part of the knee is affected by arthritis or injury, you may be a candidate for a partial knee replacement rather than a total knee replacement. Because you are able to keep more of your natural bone and the surgeon only removes the damaged portion, the surgery is less invasive, recovery times are shorter, and you can return to a more active lifestyle.
Often, the bone or tissue damage is in more than one compartment. The percentage of patients who qualify for a partial knee replacement is small.
Knee replacement surgeries are very successful but for a variety of reasons, over time, they can fail. If this occurs, an orthopaedic surgeon may recommend a second surgery to replace a damaged part or parts. This second surgery has the same goals as the original knee replacement but a revision is a more complex surgery with more detailed planning. A revision surgery is unique to the patient's circumstances and choosing a surgeon that is very experienced in revision surgery is recommended.
In a total hip replacement, the damaged surfaces of both parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts.
The majority of patients, more than 95%, are happy with their new hip and report a higher quality of life with much less pain and a return to the activites they once enjoyed.
There are almost half a million hip replacement surgeries performed every year and it is considered one of the most successful surgeries in medicine.
Hip replacement surgeries are very successful but for a variety of reasons, over time, they can fail. If this occurs, an orthopaedic surgeon may recommend a second surgery to replace a damaged part or parts. This second surgery has the same goals as the original hip replacement but a revision is a more complex surgery with more detailed planning. A revision surgery is unique to the patient's circumstances and choosing a surgeon that is very experienced in revision surgery is recommended.