Joint replacement surgery can dramatically reduce pain and increase mobility in a damaged or arthritic joint. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained joint replacement specialist Michael Trice, MD, provides high-quality, personalized care for patients of all ages at Complete Orthopaedics in Houston, Texas. If you’re thinking about a joint replacement, call or book an appointment online today.
A joint replacement is a surgical procedure that involves removing damaged or diseased parts of your joint and replacing them with an artificial joint called a prosthesis.
This type of procedure usually treats weight-bearing joints like your hip or knee, but shoulder replacements are common as well.
With fellowship training in total joint replacement, Dr. Trice has expertise in a wide range of procedures, including:
This procedure involves replacing the entire joint. For ball-and-socket joints like your hip and shoulder, this means replacing the round head of your arm or leg bone as well as the cup-shaped socket it fits into. For hinge joints like your knee, this repairs both sides of the joint.
A partial joint replacement is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces only one part of the joint. This technique may be an option if you have damage in an isolated section of your knee, hip, or shoulder.
Arthritis is the most common reason for joint replacement surgery. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects about 27 million Americans. Dr. Trice may also recommend a joint replacement to repair damage from a severe injury, such as a fracture.
Joint replacement surgery is usually the last option Dr. Trice considers after trying more conservative treatments, like physical therapy and medications.
If you continue to experience joint pain and symptoms that interfere with normal activities despite treatment, you may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery.
First, Dr. Trice develops an individualized surgical plan for your joint replacement. He discusses your options for anesthesia and helps you prepare for what to expect after surgery. You may need assistance with daily tasks at home while you recover.
The length of the procedure depends on the type of joint replacement you need. Partial joint replacements generally take less time than a total joint procedure.
After surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for a day or two. Dr. Trice starts you on a physical therapy plan as soon as possible to facilitate a successful recovery.
To learn more about joint replacement surgery, call Complete Orthopaedics, or book an appointment online today.