Total Joint Replacement: When Is It Necessary to Replace a Knee, Shoulder or Hip?

Total Joint Replacement: When Is It Necessary to Replace a Knee, Shoulder or Hip?

Tue Sep 12 2023
If you have seen an orthopedic doctor who recommended a total joint replacement on your knee or hip, it’s likely that they’ve exhausted all noninvasive options. Total joint replacement is a broad term that describes a variety of surgical procedures that involve removing damaged or diseased parts of a joint and replacing them with prosthetics. Your orthopedic surgeon can provide an accurate diagnosis of your specific condition and recommend a number of treatment options.

Common Types of Total Joint Replacement

Orthopedic surgeons at some of the best surgical hospitals around the nation like TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital, perform millions of total joint replacement procedures annually. These include:
  • Total hip replacement or arthroplasty
  • Total knee replacement or arthroplasty
  • Total ankle replacement or arthroplasty
  • Total wrist replacement or arthroplasty
  • Total shoulder replacement or arthroplasty
  • Total finger replacement or arthroplasty

When Is Total Joint Replacement Necessary?

Total joint replacement is needed when nonsurgical treatments have been ineffective. However, doctors usually recommend this only after extensively studying the patient’s medical history, general health and joint condition. Some situations where a total joint replacement may be the best course of treatment include:

Limited Mobility

Joint replacement may be necessary if the patient’s joints have been damaged or have deteriorated to the point where they are causing mobility issues.

Extreme Pain

Patients suffering from extreme chronic pain that can’t be controlled using physical therapy or medication may need to have total joint replacement, such as hip replacement surgery.

Diminished Quality of Life

Severe joint issues can significantly diminish a person’s quality of life. The pain and dysfunction experienced may limit their ability to participate in recreational activities, so total joint replacement may be the only way for them to regain their quality of life.

Joint Deformations

Joints can become deformed due to progressive damage. Total joint replacement is recommended for treating such issues because it corrects the deformities and aids joint function.

Joint Disease

Joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are persistent issues that may not be treatable using conservative measures. If the disease progresses past a certain point, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend total joint replacement. 

Find a Reliable Orthopedic Surgeon to Perform Your Total Joint Replacement

If you’re suffering from joint pain, whether it’s knee, shoulder or hip, you can learn more about our orthopedic services and find the right orthopedic surgeon near you by visiting the TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital website. With a 5-Star Rating for Overall Hospital Quality from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, we are recognized as one of the best hospitals for surgery. Day in and day out, we provide the orthopedic care you need, which includes total joint replacement. Get your joint pain issues diagnosed and treated by the orthopedic doctors at TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital.