Joint replacement surgery

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Joint replacement surgery is an effective option for treating damaged or injured joints. Typically, it’s used to replace knee, hip or shoulder joints, often for problems with arthritis.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our orthopedic surgeons use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to safely replace joints and speed your recovery.

What is joint replacement surgery?

When joints wear out from arthritis or injury, they lose their ability to function properly. That leads to pain and loss of mobility.

Joint replacement surgery replaces damaged or diseased parts of a joint with artificial implants. This can help the joint move more easily and reduce pain.

Advancements in joint replacement surgery have made it safer and more effective than traditional open surgery (which requires a large incision). Most are performed using minimally invasive (sometimes robot-assisted) techniques. This makes surgery more precise so that the implants work better. It also reduces complications and speeds your recovery.

Types of joint replacement surgery

It’s possible to replace almost any joint in the body. But joint replacement surgery isn’t typically used for joints in the fingers, wrists, elbows or ankles. The most common types of joint replacement surgery are:

Partial or total hip replacement surgery: In a partial hip replacement, just the ball of the hip joint is replaced with an implant. For a total hip replacement, both the ball and socket of the joint are replaced.
Partial or total knee replacement surgery: The knee is a complex joint made up of three components. A total knee replacement involves removing damaged cartilage, resurfacing the bones and inserting an artificial implant to recreate the joint surface. You might also have an implant under your kneecap and plastic spacers that help the new joint move smoothly. A partial knee replacement means just one component of the joint is replaced.
Partial or total shoulder replacement surgery: Like the hip, the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. A total shoulder replacement replaces both components of the joint. A partial shoulder replacement replaces just the ball of the joint.
Revision surgery: When a previously replaced joint needs repairing or replacing, it’s called revision surgery. It can be necessary if an infection develops in the joint, the joint dislocates or the implant wears out.

Conditions treated with joint replacement surgery

Many injuries and chronic conditions can damage a joint to the point where it needs to be replaced. Surgically removing the diseased or damaged parts and replacing them can restore mobility and function.

Hip conditions

Arthritis
Avascular necrosis (when bone dies because of lack of blood supply)
Dislocation
Dysplasia
Fracture
Hip pain

Knee conditions

Arthritis
Knee pain
Torn ligaments or cartilage

Shoulder conditions

Arthritis
Avascular necrosis
Fracture
Rotator cuff tears

Joint replacement surgery side effects

Minimally invasive joint replacement surgeries are safer and more effective than traditional open surgeries. They lead to fewer complications and faster recovery.

Although minimally invasive surgery reduces side effects, any surgery still has risks. After joint replacement surgery, you may experience complications including:

Blood clots
Dislocation of the artificial joint
Infection
Nerve damage
Stiffness
Swelling

After most joint replacement surgeries, your care team will encourage you to get up and moving around the same day as your surgery. You may begin physical therapy in the hospital and will continue it throughout your recovery.