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If medication, physical therapy, and other non-surgical means of treatment have been unsuccessful in alleviating your hip or knee pain, your doctor may recommend one of four joint replacement options: total hip replacement, hip resurfacing, total knee replacement, or partial knee replacement.
At Tufts Medical Center’s Department of Orthopaedics, our focus is on joint preservation whenever possible, including hip arthroscopy, surgical hip dislocation, pelvic osteotomy, and hip resurfacing. We utilize advanced, computer-assisted technology in total knee arthroplasty. Our total joint replacement capabilities range from primary surgery to highly complex revisions, including infections and periprosthetic fractures. Our unique Total Joint Replacement Workshop prepares our patients for their hospitalization, educating patients and their families and answering any questions that may arise prior to patients' surgery.
Total Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement has become a common and predictable surgery. The normal hip joint is made up of two main parts: a ball (femoral head) at the top of your thigh bone (femur) and a round socket (acetabulum) in your pelvis.
The operation consists of replacing the upper end of the thigh bone with a metal ball and resurfacing the hip socket in the pelvis with a metal shell or plastic liner allowing for smooth movement of the joint. The artificial joint may be cemented in position or may be attached using special coatings that encourage bone growth.
Hip Resurfacing
An alternative to total hip replacement that your doctor may recommend is hip resurfacing. This procedure is not as intensive as total hip replacement, allowing for hip preservation and for more active patients to return to the activities they enjoyed prior to having hip problems. The surgery involves the insertion of a synthetic component in the hip joint, stabilizing and strengthening the hip. Since all cases are unique, consult your orthopedic doctor to determine which hip replacement option is the best fit for you.
Total Knee Replacement
Similar to total hip replacement, total knee replacement is often recommended for individuals whose knee pain is not alleviated by non-surgical treatments, such as medications, modifications in physical activity, or with the support of walking aids.
A normal knee joint is formed by the ends of three bones: the lower end of the thigh bone (femur), the upper end of the shin bone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). Ligaments, bands of tissue, connect the bones and provide stability. The ends of the bones are covered with a cartilage lining that prevents the bones from rubbing against each other and allows for flexible, frictionless movement. To further cushion the joint, synovium, a soft tissue, lines the joints and produces a lubricating fluid. Injuries, infection, disease and arthritis are common causes of knee-joint deterioration and pain.
Total knee replacement surgery consists of removing the damaged parts of the knee and replacing it with smooth artificial surfaces. A curved polish metal is used for the end femur, a high-density plastic is used for the end of the tibia, and the kneecap is plastic. These artificial pieces allow for the patient fluid, pain-free movement post-surgery.
Partial Knee Replacement
An alternative to total knee replacement is partial knee replacement. This procedure replaces only part of the knee with synthetic materials while allowing for more knee preservation than total knee replacement. Similar to hip resurfacing, partial knee replacement also allows more active patients to return to their normal activity levels prior to the development of their knee problems. Consult your orthopedic doctor to determine which procedure would best benefit you.
Click the following link to see video footage of one of our Orthopedic Surgeons, Dr. Eric Smith, perform a partial knee replacement surgery.
Want to learn more about joint replacement? Listen to Dr. Eric Smith talk about hip replacement - what it is, who is a good candidate for surgery and the different types of treatment - or follow these links for an opportunity to perform your own simulated knee replacement, hip replacement, or hip resurfacing surgery.
To find more information on joint replacement and any other orthopaedic concern or inquiry, visit The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons at AAOS.org.
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