TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Total joint replacement (an arthroplasty) is a procedure which involves removing part or all of the damaged joint and replacing it with artificial implants. Joint replacement surgery can improve mobility and provide significant pain relief. It may be required for advanced arthritis or as a result of an injury. Knee, hip and shoulder replacements are common type of joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery can often be done as a minimally invasive procedure, which uses smaller incisions, has shorter hospital stays, and has a shorter recovery time than traditional joint replacement procedures.
KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Total Knee Replacement
Knee replacement surgery — also known as knee arthroplasty can help relieve pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. The procedure involves cutting away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and replacing it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers.
Partial Knee Replacement
- The knee joint is divided into three compartments (the lateral, medial and patellofemoral compartments). If damage only affects one or two compartments of the knee, a partial knee replacement may be recommended. A partial knee replacement procedure involves removing damaged tissue, resurfacing existing areas, and implanting artificial parts into the affected compartment(s) of the knee.
Revision Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement is one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. In the vast majority of cases, it enables people to live richer, more active lives free of chronic knee pain. Over time, however, a knee replacement may fail for a variety of reasons. When this occurs, your knee becomes painful and swollen. It may also feel stiff or unstable, making it difficult to perform your everyday activities.
If your knee replacement fails, you might be recommended that you have a second surgery—revision total knee replacement. In this procedure, removes some or all of the parts of the original prosthesis and replaces them with new ones.
Although both procedures have the same goal—to relieve pain and improve function—revision surgery is different than primary total knee replacement. It is a longer, more complex procedure that requires extensive planning, and specialized implants and tools to achieve a good result.

SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
In shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components, called a prosthesis.
The treatment options are either replacement of just the head of the humerus bone (ball), or replacement of both the ball and the socket (glenoid).
Hemi(partial) replacement surgery-
Depending on the condition of your shoulder, your surgeon may replace only the ball. This procedure is called a hemiarthroplasty. In a traditional hemiarthroplasty, the surgeon replaces the head of the humerus with a metal ball and stem, similar to the component used in a total shoulder replacement. This is called a stemmed hemiarthroplasty.
Some surgeons recommend hemiarthroplasty when the humeral head is severely fractured but the socket is normal. Other indications for a hemiarthroplasty include:
- Arthritis that involves only the head of the humerus, with a glenoid that has a healthy and intact cartilage surface
- Shoulders with severely weakened bone in the glenoid
- Some shoulders with severely torn rotator cuff tendons and arthritis
Sometimes, surgeons make the decision between a total shoulder replacement and a hemiarthroplasty in the operating room at the time of the surgery.
Total Shoulder Replacement
The standard total shoulder replacement involves replacing the arthritic joint surfaces with a highly polished metal ball attached to a stem, and a plastic socket.
Patients with bone-on-bone osteoarthritis and intact rotator cuff tendons are generally good candidates for conventional total shoulder replacement.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Reverse total shoulder replacement is used for people who have:
- Completely torn rotator cuffs with severe arm weakness
- The effects of severe arthritis and rotator cuff tearing (cuff tear arthropathy)
- Had a previous shoulder replacement that failed
In RSA the position of the ball and socket in the joint are switched over and replaced with artificial parts. A prosthetic “ball” is surgically attached at the shoulder blade, and an artificial “socket” is then constructed at the top of the upper arm bone. By reversing the location of the ball and socket, it allows the shoulder to bypass the damaged muscles and tendons(rotator cuff) and use the muscles(Deltoid) at the top of the arm and shoulder instead. This stabilizes the shoulder joint and restores pain-free motion and function.

HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Total Hip Replacement –
If your hip has been damaged by arthritis, a fracture, or other conditions, common activities such as walking or getting in and out of a chair may be painful and difficult. Your hip may be stiff, and it may be hard to put on your shoes and socks. You may even feel uncomfortable while resting.
If medications, changes in your everyday activities, and the use of walking supports do not adequately help your symptoms, you may consider hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can relieve your pain, increase motion, and help you get back to enjoying normal, everyday activities.
In a total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty), the damaged bone and cartilage is removed and replaced with prosthetic components.
- The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a metal stem that is placed into the hollow center of the femur. The femoral stem may be either cemented or “press fit” into the bone.
- A metal or ceramic ball is placed on the upper part of the stem. This ball replaces the damaged femoral head that was removed.
- The damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket. Screws or cement are sometimes used to hold the socket in place.
- A plastic, ceramic, or metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and the socket to allow for a smooth gliding surface.
Partial Hip Replacement – A partial hip replacement (a hemiarthroplasty) involves replacing the femoral head (the ball) only and not the acetabulum (socket). This procedure is used more in older patients suffering from a hip fracture and is an option when the socket is healthy.
TOTAL ELBOW REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Although elbow joint replacement is much less common than knee or hip replacement, it is just as successful in relieving joint pain and returning people to activities they enjoy.
In total elbow replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the humerus and ulna are replaced with artificial components. The artificial elbow joint is made up of a metal and plastic hinge with two metal stems. The stems fit inside the hollow part of the bone called the canal.
