Dealing with persistent joint pain and struggling to walk the dog, hike with friends or even sit down can dramatically impact your quality of life. This is especially true if you’ve tried numerous methods — physical therapy, injections, braces — to manage this pain without relief.
The expert and compassionate orthopedic surgeons at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center know it’s been a long road to find a solution to your pain when you’re at the point of considering joint replacement surgery. We want to walk you through the decision, making sure you understand your options, what to expect with surgery and how we’ll support your rehabilitation.
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is the clear choice for your joint replacement care. We can schedule you an appointment quickly to meet with one of our dedicated joint replacement surgeons and their team, and they’ll spend time getting to know you, your goals and your overall health to customize your treatment plan. That plan could include specialized robotic surgery or same-day joint replacement surgery at the state-of-the-art Outpatient Care Dublin.
We use the most innovative technology available to perform your joint replacement surgery whether you’re an athlete looking to stay active, a senior wanting to stay independent or someone who’s experiencing complications from joint replacement surgery done elsewhere.
What is joint replacement surgery?
A joint replacement, which is also called arthroplasty or orthopedic adult joint reconstruction, is a procedure to remove damaged parts of a joint in the body and replace them with artificial components, usually made of metal or plastic. It’s commonly used to treat shoulder, hip or knee injuries.
The goal of joint replacement surgery is to alleviate pain, stiffness and weakness as well as restore function in the injured joint. Physical therapy is a major part of recovery from joint replacement surgery, and it generally takes several months before you return to normal function.
Benefits of joint replacement surgery
Though full recovery from a joint replacement takes time and effort with rehabilitation, most people who have joint replacement surgery see their pain significantly decreased or eliminated altogether. They also experience improved range of motion and strength.
Benefits of same-day joint replacement
Nicholas Greco, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, describes same-day joint replacement and discusses who is a candidate for the procedure, the benefits, how the team communicates with patients undergoing the procedure as well as research advances in the field.
Conditions treated with joint replacement surgery
A joint replacement treats a variety of conditions, but damage caused by arthritis is the most common reason for needing orthopedic reconstruction.
Conditions treated by joint replacement surgery include:
- Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis)
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
- Arthritis caused by trauma, such as a fracture
- Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis), when blood flow to the joint is cut off, causing the bone to collapse or deform
- Late consequences of childhood hip dysplasia, which could include dislocation, Perthes disease or slipped capital femoral epiphysis
A joint replacement is typically not the first method of treatment we offer for these conditions. Surgery is usually considered only after many nonsurgical treatments have been used, including:
- Injected steroids to manage acute pain and inflammation
- Injected visco-supplementation agents (“gel” injections) to relieve pain and restore function
- Unloader bracing, a mechanical intervention designed to reduce pain and improve function
- Physical therapy to promote strengthening and flexibility
Types of joint replacement surgery
At the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, our orthopedic reconstruction surgeons can perform joint replacement surgery on nearly any joint in the body. The most common types of joint replacements are:
- Knee replacement
- Hip replacement
- Shoulder replacement
- Elbow replacement
- Ankle replacement
- Wrist replacement
- Finger or toe replacement
Many of these can be total or partial replacements, meaning we only replace one part of the joint instead of all of the joint. We can also offer some of these procedures as outpatient (same-day surgeries), meaning you go home the same day as your procedure. Some people will still need the support of staying in the hospital for a few days.
Recovery and rehabilitation from joint replacement surgery
Recovery and rehabilitation from joint replacement surgery can be challenging, but the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center will be with you every step of the way. As an academic medical center, we offer a continuum of care you won’t always find elsewhere.
From our award-winning Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital for inpatient rehab care to physical therapy offered at convenient locations throughout central Ohio, our physical medicine and rehab specialists will help get you back to enjoying your life post-surgery. We can also provide adaptive equipment, nutrition support and any other services you might need throughout your recovery.
Why choose Ohio State for joint replacement surgery?
The Wexner Medical Center is frequently recognized as one of the premier sites in the country for orthopedic surgery. People come to us from throughout Ohio and nearby states for their joint replacement surgery.
Comprehensive care
As an academic medical center, we have access to a full range of medical specialists and can coordinate all your care. Our orthopedists also manage a large volume of postoperative complications following total joint replacement performed at outside facilities throughout Ohio.
Pioneers in technology
We were the first hospital in Ohio to offer surgery using robotic-assisted technology. MAKOplasty utilizes a robotic arm system that helps surgeons achieve a new level of precision in knee replacement surgery.
Diagnostic expertise
We have trained experts who collaborate as an entire team, including physicians, clinicians and researchers from Orthopaedics, Physical Therapy, Imaging, Sports Medicine, Nutrition and any other departments that can play a role in your treatment. We provide the best, most personalized treatment options available for hip and knee pain, even when it doesn’t require surgery. We will try to preserve the joint when possible before considering a joint replacement procedure.
State-of-the-art facilities
Ohio State offers joint replacements at several convenient locations throughout central Ohio, including our outpatient surgical center at Outpatient Care Dublin. This same-day surgical suite provides innovative joint replacement care with state-of-the-art equipment and modern amenities.
Access to a digital health coach
You can easily follow your joint replacement care plan using Care Companion, an interactive, personalized MyChart feature available through the Ohio State MyHealth mobile app. It notifies you with medication reminders, health-tracking tasks, educational content and periodic check-ins. A to-do list helps you manage tasks and stay on track.
Research
Through collaborations with Ohio State researchers and medical device manufacturers, our physicians help design and develop many of the hip and knee replacement components used throughout the world. We also lead clinical trials and scientific research projects that look for new and better ways to treat osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions.
If you need mobility help
If you need home medical equipment, such as a walker or a wheelchair, it’s easy to obtain quickly through Ohio State Home Medical Equipment (OSHME), a joint venture between Ohio State Health Inc. and DASCO Home Medical Equipment. OSHME has staff and supplies on hand for patients of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. To learn more about available equipment, place an order or talk to an equipment specialist, visit godasco.com.
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