When pain, stiffness, swelling and limited joint movement keep you from sleeping or performing daily activities, you may need total joint replacement. Every year, more than 200,000 people in the United States have joint replacement surgery to reduce pain and stiffness and restore function. The most frequent source of debilitating pain and joint destruction is arthritis. It is estimated that 36 million people in the United States have some form of arthritis. That's one in seven people. Of the more than 100 types of arthritis, the following three are the most common sources of joint damage.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the main source of knee and hip pain. Three major types of arthritis are the main causes of joint damage:

• Osteoarthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Trauma-related arthritis results when the joint is injured, is the third most common form of arthritis. It also causes joint damage, pain and loss of mobility.

Joint Replacement

When conservative methods of treatment fail (physical therapy, medicine, special injections) to provide adequate relief, total joint replacement is considered. If your X-rays show destruction of the joint, you and your surgeon will decide if the degree of pain, deterioration and loss of movement is severe enough that you should undergo the operation.

Today, your orthopedic surgeon can replace your problem joint thanks to the development of total joint implants, which have been shown to provide long-term relief. Total joint replacement is a remarkably successful operation that has transformed the lives of many people by enabling them to be active and pain-free.

Evaluation

An orthopedic surgeon specializes in problems affecting bones and joints. Your joint evaluation will begin with a detailed questionnaire. Your medical history is very important in determining whether surgery is necessary and medically safe. It helps the surgeon understand your pain, limitations in activity and the progression of your knee problem.

After your history is taken, a physical exam is performed. The range of motion of your joint is measured, your legs are evaluated for variances such as bowlegs or knock-knees, and your muscle strength is analyzed. The surgeon will observe how you walk, sit, bend and move.

X-rays are taken of your joint. You should bring any X-rays that may have been taken of your joint in the past. These X-rays will help your surgeon plan the surgery and evaluate the fit of your new joint.

After your initial orthopedic evaluation, the surgeon will discuss all possible alternatives to surgery. If the X-rays show severe joint damage and no other means of treatment has provided relief, total joint replacement may be recommended.

Preparation For Surgery And Aftercare

Our unique pre-surgical preparation and aftercare programs ensure that patients receive the information needed prior to surgery, and the aftercare needed to return to an active, healthy lifestyle as quickly as possible. Our Joint Replacement Class is staffed by members of the hospital's joint replacement team, who guide patients through the replacement process and answer any questions they may have. Aftercare programs include coordinated physical therapy and individualized preparation for the return home.