Arthroplasty, or a joint replacement, is a surgery that replaces all or some of a joint. Worn-out or damaged bone and cartilage is replaced with a prosthetic implant. The artificial joint, or prosthesis, is made of metal, plastic, or ceramic.
Total Joint Replacement (Total Arthroplasty)
If your surgeon determines a total joint replacement is necessary, all the parts of your joint will be replaced with a prosthetic joint.
Partial Joint Replacement (Partial Arthroplasty)
If your surgeon determines a partial joint replacement is needed, only the worn-out or damaged bone and cartilage will be replaced during surgery.
Causes
If your cartilage has been worn or damaged by age, injury, infection, or disease, the bones will rub against each other and wear out the ends of your bones. Arthritis is a common reason for needing an arthroplasty. An arthroplasty may be suggested if you’ve experienced a broken bone in your joint or have trauma from a fall, car accident or sport injury.
- Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and results from the gradual wearing of the cartilage covering on bones. Advanced age and many years of use are typically the result of Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and results in pain, stiffness and swelling. It can affect several joints on both sides of the body.
- Posttraumatic arthritis happens when there is trauma or injury to the joints. Posttraumatic arthritis can be traced back to a traumatic event and is less gradual than osteoarthritis.
What does an Arthroplasty Treat?
Joint replacement surgery may be recommended if your symptoms do not improve following nonsurgical treatments like lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, or medication.
Arthroplasty can help treat:
-Joint pain
-Stiffness and/or decreased range of motion in your hand
-Limited mobility
-Swelling
-Instability
Arthroplasty Procedure
During a joint replacement procedure your surgeon will remove damaged cartilage and bone and insert the prosthetic joint. Other prosthetic parts may be used to recreate your natural tissue and spacers might be used to mimic natural cartilage. Your bones will then be reshaped around your joint to fit the new prosthetic if needed.
Arthroplasty surgery generally takes a few hours from start to finish and depends on which joints need replacing and if a total replacement or partial replacement is needed.
Benefits of Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty is a safe and effective procedure that can help people regain their mobility and relieve long-term pain. Joint replacement can help most people increase their quality of life because they can move better with less pain.
OrthoManhattan has multiple orthopedic hand surgeons on staff, all of whom are extremely passionate about offering the highest quality of care possible. We’ll do everything we can to get you back to pain-free living! To get started on your road to recovery, all you have to do is make an appointment here.