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 in Columbus, Ohio, know it’s been a long road to find a solution to your pain when you’re considering joint replacement surgery. We’ll walk you through the decision, making sure you understand your options, what to expect 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 evaluation quickly, and our dedicated joint replacement team will spend time getting to know you and your goals to customize a 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 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 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.
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:
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.
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.
