Patient Guide, Education & Resources

About Joint Replacement & Arthritis

The technique of joint replacement uses prosthetic implants to replace the damaged sections of bone and cartilage in the joint. The purpose of the procedure is to restore function and mobility and to provide relief from joint pain. The most common reason joints are replaced is osteoarthritis, which is the diagnosis in 90% of patients receiving a new joint. However, patients may be candidates for joint replacement if they suffer from any of the following conditions:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Sometimes called degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, it is a condition that involves the breakdown of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a rubbery tissue that covers the ends of moving bones in joints. It acts as both a shock absorber and a lubricant, protecting your bones from damage and providing smooth, pain-free movement.

As joint cartilage wears away, the bones begin to make painful bone-on-bone contact. The early stages of osteoarthritis can be treated with a variety of conservative, non-surgical treatments. However, as the joint cartilage continues to wear away and the symptoms of osteoarthritis become more severe, surgery may be recommended to correct the damaged bone and cartilage.

To diagnose your condition, an orthopedic physician will observe your movement and review your health history. An X-ray of the affected joint will show signs of cartilage wear, and the severity of the cartilage destruction can help determine the best course of treatment.

Often the cause of arthritis is unknown, but osteoarthritis may develop as a result of injury to the joint, excess body weight, or years of wear and tear on the joint cartilage. There is no known cure. The best that doctors can do for patients is to restore motion and reduce pain. Fortunately, total joint replacement has generally proven quite effective at accomplishing these goals.

The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the knees, hips, fingers, and shoulders. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include, but are not limited to:

• Joint Pain While Standing or Moving
• Giving Out or Locking of Joint
• Near Constant Pain
• Decreased Activity
• Abnormal Stance or Walk

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

This is significantly less common than osteoarthritis, affecting 2.1 million Americans, mostly women. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, the cause of which is unknown. The body's immunological system attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation of the joint lining and subsequent joint damage.

Avascular Necrosis (AVN)

Also known as osteonecrosis, this is a disorder where the blood supply to the bone is compromised, causing weakness and potential bone collapse. Mostly occurring in people between the ages of 30 and 60, AVN most commonly affects alcoholics, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus, and people ingesting high doses of steroids.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis (PTA)

Injuries to the joint and cartilage which do not fully heal may lead to an arthritic condition.

Paget's Disease

A disorder whereby bone formation accelerates, creating changes in the shape of the bone.

About Trigger Finger

Appointments

Please bring the following items with you to your initial appointment.

• Complete Registration Forms
• Current Insurance Card and Driver's License
• Insurance Referral (if required by your medical policy)
• Co-Pay or Payment in Full (if not insured)

Disability Forms

Please give all forms regarding disability to the nursing or front desk staff, please do not give these forms to the Physician. Be aware that there is a $25.00 charge per form. You will need to expect 72 hours for these forms to be completed. Fill out the portion of the disability form that is for the patient and leave areas that the physician is to fill out, blank.

New Patient Forms

Please download, print and complete your New Patient Forms prior to your initial office visit.

A total hip replacement removes the arthritic ball of the upper femur (thighbone) as well as the damaged cartilage from the hip socket. The ball is replaced by a metal or ceramic ball that is solidly fixed to a stem inserted into the femur. The socket is replaced with a metal cup, which is fixed to the acetabulum, or socket.

The implants are designed to create a new, smoothly functioning joint that prevents painful bone-on-bone contact.

You and your surgeon should discuss various options, including the following, for your total hip replacement.

A total knee replacement is really a cartilage replacement. The knee itself is not replaced, only the cartilage on the ends of the bones. The replacement implants include a metal alloy on the bottom of the thighbone and polyethylene (plastic) on the top of the tibia and underneath the kneecap. The implant is designed to create a new, smoothly functioning joint that prevents painful bone-on-bone contact.

Your surgeon may elect to replace all or part of your knee, depending on your condition and the extent to which your knee is affected by arthritis.

An arthritic or injured shoulder greatly affects activities of daily living by causing pain and limiting motion. When shoulder replacement is necessary, the orthopedic surgeon may perform either a total shoulder replacement or a hemi (partial) shoulder replacement. There are two main bones involved in shoulder motion: the humeral head (rounded portion at the top of the upper arm bone) and the glenoid (cuplike bone in front of the shoulder blade). In a hemi (partial) shoulder replacement, the humeral head is replaced with a metal implant with the same rounded shape. The glenoid, in this case, is healthy and does not need to be replaced. If the glenoid is not healthy, then a total shoulder replacement is typically performed. In a total shoulder replacement, the surface of the glenoid is removed and a similarly shaped polyethylene component is inserted in its place.

Another option may be a resurfacing component. This implant is designed to "cap" only the top of the humerus.

The elbow consists of three compartments (humerus, ulna, and radius) that provide two types of motion. The humerus and the ulna allow for hinge-type motion. The humerus and the radius provide rotational motion. The joint surfaces are covered by cartilage, providing a cushion between the bones.

The cartilage can become damaged by various events, including fracture, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis. When rheumatoid arthritis is present, the cartilage is not being provided with enough lubrication and nourishment. This leads to loss of motion and pain in the elbow.