Total Joint Replacement Specialists

What is a Total Joint Replacement?

A total joint replacement removes a damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial joint to improve mobility and reduce pain. Common joint replacements include:

• Hips
• Shoulders
• Knees

Less common replacements include:

• Ankles
• Elbows
• Wrists

The procedures are proven to be highly safe and effective. Artificial joints generally have 15-30 year lifespans. Their materials include ceramic, plastic, and metal. 

When is a Total Joint Replacement Needed?

Your joints often deteriorate over time due to natural aging, trauma, and specific medical conditions. These medical conditions include, but are not limited to:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Sports injury
• Congenital deformities
• Infections
• Fracture

Our team at MidJersey Orthopaedics may recommend total joint replacement surgery once less invasive procedures become ineffective in treating and managing your joint pain. 

What are the Benefits and Risks of a Total Joint Replacement?

A total joint replacement surgery aims to provide benefits, such as:

• Increased joint mobility
• Decreased joint pain
• Improved quality of life

Although total joint replacement surgery has multiple benefits, it is important to understand the risks that still exist. Although rare, these risks include:

• Infection
• Adverse anesthesia reaction
• Blood clots
• Stroke or heart attack
• Injury to nearby muscles and nerves
• Dislocation of joint
• Loose joint

The surgeons at MidJersey Orthopaedics ensure you are fully educated on the risks of a total joint replacement prior to deciding to have surgery. When possible, the physicians use minimally invasive techniques to limit risk factors and minimize recovery time.

How Long is the Recovery Period for a Total Joint Replacement?

The physicians at MidJersey Orthopaedics recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. They work with you to develop an individualized, detailed, and informative recovery plan to adhere to post-surgery. The plan typically includes special exercises through physical therapy and diet recommendations that maximize results. 

It is important to understand that the goal of total joint replacement surgery is to relieve pain and improve your overall quality of life. Total joint replacement surgeries are not necessarily designed for you to return to high impact activities after recovery. The recovery timelines for total joint replacements vary, but for common total joint replacements they are:

• Knee Replacement: Patients return to usual daily activities within three to six weeks after a total knee replacement surgery, but it may take up to a year to fully experience all of the benefits of the surgery.
• Hip Replacement: Patients are usually able to walk the same day of a hip replacement surgery. On average, it takes four to six weeks to make a full recovery and return to a normal routine.
• Shoulder Replacement: Patients are typically instructed to wear a sling for 2-4 weeks after a shoulder replacement. It takes anywhere from two to six weeks to regain motion for daily living and about six months before a full recovery takes place.

To learn more about the total joint replacement program at MidJersey Orthopaedics, please call or use the online booking tool today.