Joint Replacement

More than one million Americans undergo joint replacement surgery each year to relieve pain and restore mobility. At Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas, with offices in Rockwall, Wylie, Forney, and Terrell, Texas, the team has years of experience performing several types of joint replacement surgery, including hip, knee, and shoulder replacement. To see if you’re a candidate, call Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas today and schedule an appointment, or book your visit online. 

Is arthroplasty the same as joint replacement?

Yes. Arthroplasty is the medical term for a surgical joint replacement. During the procedure, your Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas provider removes some or all of your damaged joint and replaces it with a durable prosthetic (artificial joint). The artificial joint is made of metal, plastic, or ceramic and functions similarly to your natural one.

Who can benefit from joint replacement surgery?

The Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas team might recommend joint replacement surgery if you regularly experience joint swelling or stiffness that doesn’t improve with rest, ice, and activity changes. That’s particularly true if you have an underlying medical condition like:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Severe fracture
• Joint abnormalities (like hip dysplasia)
• Avascular necrosis (poor circulation to a bone)

After a physical exam and X-rays, your Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas provider develops a surgical treatment plan.

How do I prepare for joint replacement surgery?

Before you undergo joint replacement surgery, the Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas team develops a preoperative care plan. This typically includes physical therapy, weight loss (if needed), and a healthy diet. 

The team also orders lab tests, including blood work and urinalysis, to evaluate your health and ensure you’re well enough to undergo surgery. Let your provider know about your prescription medications and supplements. Certain drugs, like blood thinners, increase the risk of surgical complications, so it’s important that they’re aware.

What does joint replacement surgery involve?

The Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas team performs joint replacement surgery at a nearby hospital. Before the procedure begins, your provider administers a general anesthetic, causing you to fall asleep.

Once you’re comfortable, your provider makes several small incisions in your skin and uses surgical tools to remove your damaged joint. They insert the artificial joint in its place and close the incisions with staples or stitches. Then, your provider bandages your joint and moves you to a recovery suite.

Most joint replacement procedures take 60-90 minutes, but they can take longer, depending on which joint is replaced.

Do I need to stay in the hospital after joint replacement surgery?

It depends. If you have a minimally invasive procedure, you might go home on the same day. But total joint replacement typically requires one or two nights in the hospital. The team provides recovery instructions so you can quickly return to your favorite activities.

Call Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas today to make an appointment, or book your visit online.