Fort Lauderdale Joint Replacement Surgery
Fort Lauderdale Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine specializes in the repair or replacement of damaged joints that may be causing pain and inflammation, or in cases when cartilage has worn away and allowed the rough edges of bones to rub against each other. Commonly, joint replacement surgery is most often done on the hip, knee, and shoulder joints. The procedure can help resolve pain and help a patient return to a regular, active lifestyle.
Joint Replacement Surgery Overview
Joint replacement surgery can be performed to replace damaged or diseased parts of the knee, hip, or shoulder joints. Some general terms describing joint replacement surgeries include:
- Minimally Invasive Joint Replacement – There are now smaller incisions that can be used, but there is no such thing as minimally invasive joint replacement. By minimizing soft tissue trauma, and utilizing the latest in regional anesthesia for long acting nerve blocks, pain can be minimized leading to a faster and less painful rehabilitation.
- Computer Assisted Hip and Knee Joint Replacement – There are two types of computer assisted joint replacement. The first is computer assisted navigation or pre-surgical navigation. A CT or MRI scan is obtained and used to create custom cutting blocks that are used during the procedure. This adds cost to the procedure which may be borne by the patient. The second is robotic assisted replacement which also requires a pre-op scan, then utilizes a robotic arm and uses optical guidance pin markers placed in the lower and upper leg bones through additional surgical incisions. The patient often bears the additional costs for imaging and for use of the million dollar robot and its added disposables. Robotic surgery adds more additional surgery time than pre-navigation. However, neither has yet to demonstrate any improvement in outcomes as compared to traditional joint replacement surgery!
- Total Hip Replacement – Total hip replacement involves the removal of damaged or diseased cartilage and bone from the hip joint. The hip joint is then replaced with an artificial joint consisting of Titanium, Oxinium (a metal ceramic), and crosslinked polyethylene. Most patients are walking the same day or surgery with a walker or cane. This procedure is one of the most successful orthopedic surgeries performed and can result in pain relief, improved mobility and overall better quality of life.
- Total Knee Replacement – A knee replacement is sometimes referred to as a total knee arthroplasty. It is a surgical procedure that replaces the worn out and damaged surfaces of the knee joint with artificial parts. The knee joint area is then replaced with an artificial joint, consisting of Titanium, Oxinium (a metal ceramic), and crosslinked polyethylene. Most patients are walking the same day or surgery with a walker or cane. Like hip replacements procedure is one of the most successful orthopedic surgeries performed services available and can result in pain relief, improved mobility and overall better quality of life.
- Partial Knee Replacement – Medically known as a Unicompartmental knee replacement, this surgery allows for only the damaged part of the knee to be replaced with an implant. Like other joint replacement surgeries, you may use a walker, cane or crutches for the 1 to 2 weeks following surgery, but in most cases can start physical therapy soon after the procedure due to less post-operative pain and faster recovery times.
- Revision Knee Replacement – Sometimes, knee replacements need to be modified or completely revised. Usually, it is due to persistent pain, stiffness, or loosening. Rarely, in cases of severe infection, two stage revisions consisting of implant removal for several months before revision can be necessary.
- Revision Hip Replacement – Similar to a revision knee replacement, a previously implanted joint is replaced with a new artificial joint. This may be necessary when the original replacement joint becomes worn-out over time or if there is a loosening of the components of the initial replacement joint.
- Anatomic Shoulder Replacement – This procedure is carried out to replace a damaged or arthritic shoulder joint, replacing the damaged or diseased one with an artificial implant. In some cases, the full joint may be replaced, but like other types of joint replacement, your surgeon may only need to replace part of the joint. With extended regional blocks, patients go home in a sling the same day and often have no post operative pain.
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement- Similar to anatomic shoulder replacement, reverse shoulder replacements are performed most often when a patient lacks the normal rotator cuff needed to move the shoulder. By reversing the ball and socket, the larger deltoid muscle is able to power the shoulder instead.
What Conditions Benefit From Joint Replacement Surgery?
Frequently Asked Questions
Total joint replacements are performed most commonly for degenerative, post traumatic or inflammatory arthritis. However, reverse shoulder replacements are most commonly performed for rotator cuff deficiency or complex shoulder fractures.
In the past, patients were told that joint replacements usually lasted between 10 and 15 years. At Fort Lauderdale Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, we use Smith and Nephew Verilast Oxinium components which offers the only 30 year longevity designated by the FDA.
Of course! Joint replacement surgery is meant to enhance your life and help you resume your regular activities pain-free. There is no clinic evidence that suggests patients should not kneel on replaced knees. However, most patients find it takes 6 months or more to feel comfortable enough to do so. We recommend desensitization by kneeling on a soft cushion or pillow before progressing hard surfaces.
Initially, right after your surgery, you may experience some pain and swelling. You will be given oral medications that help reduce inflammation and minimize pain. Over the next few weeks, pain and swelling gradually resolve.