Total Joint Replacement Surgery
Total joint replacement surgeries are complex procedures that require significant skill and experience to perform reliably. In most situations, a total joint replacement is a last resort after less invasive non-surgical and surgical options have been attempted.
The quality of the surgeon and the artificial replacement components used will significantly impact the success of joint replacement, which is why it’s highly advisable to consult with experienced and respected orthopaedic surgery experts such as those on the Barbour Orthopaedics team in Atlanta.
Total Hip Replacement (THR)
In some circumstances there is a limit to the amount of good reparative surgeries one can do for the hip joint. Many patients will be best served by total hip replacement surgeries. The orthopaedic surgeons at Barbour Orthopaedics have decades of combined experience in the field of hip surgery and are exceptionally qualified to perform total hip replacement surgery. They are happy to consult with other doctors and patients regarding their options in terms of surgical techniques and replacement joints.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
In some situations, especially for patients who have osteoarthritis or arthritic knee joints, a minimally invasive surgical solution won’t adequately address the underlying knee problems. During a total knee replacement (TKR) procedure, an orthopaedic surgeon will remove the damaged sections of bone and replace the bottom of the femur as well as the top of the shin (tibia) and the knee cap (patella) with metal and plastic prostheses.
TKR is most commonly recommended for older patients who are experiencing knee joint pain or have difficulty moving due to joint degeneration. Due to its invasive nature, total knee replacement is generally a last resort after alternative, less-invasive treatment options have been exhausted.
Our doctors are highly experienced orthopaedic surgeons with more than two decades of experience. He has performed many successful total knee replacements and is happy to consult with patients and provide solutions that may help address their knee problems.
Shoulder Joint Replacement
Although less common than knee or hip replacement, shoulder joint replacements can be a life-improving procedure for many people who have a limited range of motion or chronic pain due to shoulder joint injuries or degenerative and inflammatory conditions.
Some common conditions that may necessitate shoulder joint replacement include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rotator cuff tears, osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis), and severe shoulder fractures.
The extent of shoulder replacement varies on a case-by-case basis and depends on the extent of damage to the patient’s shoulder. Some of the potential replacement options include the ball (head) of the humerus bone or both the ball and the socket.
Wrist Joint Replacement Surgery
Although knee and hip joint replacements are more common than wrist joint replacement, they are significantly less complicated, which is why your choice of wrist joint replacement surgeon is an important one.
As with other joint replacement surgeries, the damaged sections of bone are removed, and artificial components are put in their place. In most cases, the end of the lower arm bones and the first carpal bones are replaced with prosthetics. The replacement carpals are cemented or screwed into the remaining natural carpal bones.
A cast is put on the wrist following surgery. This can usually be removed within a few weeks of the procedure, after which the patient will likely need to use a splint for one and a half to two months.
Although certain activities should still be avoided, wrist joint replacement surgery has the potential to restore a significant amount of wrist movement to patients with little or no wrist mobility.