ARTHROPLASTY
Arthroplasty is commonly referred to as Total Joint Replacement or Joint Resurfacing. It is a surgical procedure to relieve pain and restore function and motion by realignment and the application of a new surface to a joint.

Why Arthroplasty?
Arthroplasty improves quality of life. When pain, stiffness, deformity, and lost function due to joint degeneration (arthritis) significantly limit daily activities and cannot be controlled by lesser non-surgical means, arthroplasty can help.  Degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis cause cartilage on the joint surfaces to wear away.  The underlying bones rub together, erode away, change shape, and thereby create pain. Artificial resurfacing corrects alignment, replaces the cartilage cap to keep bone from rubbing against bone, and allows the joint surfaces to be smooth again to relieve pain. It is most commonly performed to resurface knee, shoulder, and hip joints. Most patients who have artificial resurfacing are over 60 years of age, but it can be performed in some younger people.

KNEE ARTHROPLASTY
Most commonly done to control pain of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or trauma, it is typically considered when:
• X-rays show cartilage loss severe enough to cause pain, and
• Pain is severe enough to limit ordinary daily activities, and
• Pain is not relieved by arthritis
(anti-inflammatory) medicine, the use of a cane, restricting activities, and/or weight loss, or
• A significant deformity exists (knock-knees or bowed legs).
Replacement/resurfacing typically provides pain relief enough that activities of daily living may again be enjoyed. About 90 percent of patients with stiff knees before surgery will have better motion after a total knee arthroplasty.

SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY
Most commonly done to control pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or fracture, shoulder replacement is typically considered if:
• X-rays show cartilage loss severe enough to cause pain, and
• Pain is severe enough to limit ordinary daily activities, and
• Pain is not relieved by arthritis (anti-inflammatory) medicine and restricting activities, or
• The upper arm bone (humerus) is fractured badly enough to cause the bone to die with painful joint collapse.
Surgery typically restores enough motion and provides pain relief enough that typical daily activities may be resumed.

HIP ARTHROPLASTY
The operation is sometimes performed for problems other than arthritis, such as hip fractures, aseptic necrosis (a condition in which the bone of the hip ball dies), or hip dysplasia. Patients are generally considered for total hip replacements if:
• X-rays show advanced arthritis or other correctable problems, and
• Pain is severe enough to restrict not only work and recreation, but also ordinary daily activities, and
• is not relieved by arthritis (anti-inflammatory) medicine, the use of a cane, restricting activities, and/or weight loss

A total hip replacement provides complete or nearly complete pain relief in 95 percent of patients and allows most activities of daily living.

PROCEDURE
Regional anesthesia is given to assure complete comfort during the operation. The abnormal joint surfaces are replaced by attaching the artificial joint surfaces, consisting of metal and plastic and/or ceramic implants, to the ends of the bones.  These surface implants effectively replace the diseased or injured joint surfaces. While performing the replacement, the surgeon is careful to preserve ligaments and muscles, and as much bone as possible, in order to restore optimal anatomy and function. 

COMPUTER NAVIGATED ARTHROPLASTY
Computer navigation is state of the art innovative technology that guides the surgeon by GPS (Global Positioning System) sophistication to verify length, alignment, and position to the nearest millimeter. This previously not available precision now allows unparalleled means to achieve a well functioning, painless joint that will last for many years to come.

RECOVERY
Rehabilitation starts immediately. After arthroplasty is complete, the patient can usually expect to leave the hospital within one to four days and proceed directly home with or without home physical therapy/nursing, or to a rehabilitation facility.