If medications, physical therapy, exercise, a weight-loss program or even arthroscopic surgical repair haven’t worked on your damaged or arthritic hip or knee, you could be a candidate for a total joint replacement.
At Hartford HealthCare’s Bone & Joint Institute, New England’s first orthopedic specialty hospital, our team of orthopedic surgeons and associated medical specialists work together to diagnose, treat and rehab your problematic joint – all in the same building close to downtown Hartford.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a primary reason for most knee and hip replacements. It affects more than 30 million people, making it the most common chronic joint condition in the United States. The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis at a joint – the junction where two bones meet – are caused by the breakdown of protective tissue (cartilage) that leaves the bones in the knee, hip, wrist or shoulder rubbing together. Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear condition, often a byproduct of aging, that make it difficult to walk, climb stairs or rise from a chair.
“Osteoarthritis and other causes of pain in the hips and knees can significantly affect a person’s quality of life,” said Dr. Durgesh Nagarkatti, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the Bone & Joint Institute. “Using the latest technology and a personal touch, we want to help each person move from those difficulties to a better life experience.”
What Is Joint Reconstruction?
Depending on the damage to the joint, reconstruction can be a relatively simple arthroscopic repair or a total joint replacement that removes the arthritic joint and inserts a prothesis made of metal, plastic or ceramic. Knee and hip replacements are the most common joint replacement procedures. Our doctors also perform replacement surgery on the shoulder, ankle and wrist.
“We recommend joint replacement surgery when knee pain and loss of function become severe and when medicines and other treatments no longer relieve pain,” said Dr. Robert Carangelo, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the Bone & Joint Institute. “Joint replacement can relieve a lot of pain and help people move much better.”
During a joint replacement, damaged bone and cartilage is removed. The end of the bone is resurfaced with metal alloys and often cemented to the healthy remaining bone.
Most people have much less pain after knee replacement surgery. Beyond resuming your daily activities, you should also expect to swim, bike, golf or dance without pain.
Although the knee may not bend as well as a healthy knee, the goal is to return your level of activity to normal and without pain.
What Are Signs That I Might Need Joint Reconstruction?
Arthritis, most common in older people, is not curable. If your body doesn’t respond to pain treatment that makes movement easier, you might need joint reconstruction. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms:
Hip Replacement:
- Constant pain in your hip.
- Pain in your hip that interferes with your sleep.
- Difficultly starting to walk when you rise from a chair.
Knee Replacement:
- Constant pain in your knee.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Knee pain that keeps you awake at night.
- Inability to exercise (whether biking, walking or running) because of knee pain.
Shoulder Replacement
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Post-traumatic arthritis, following a major injury.
- Severe fracture.