When it comes to joint replacement, many body parts can require it. Orthopedic surgeons are specialized in certain areas to ensure successful surgeries. With various options, it can get confusing to remember all of the possible types of joint replacement surgeries.
Types of Joint Replacement Surgery
At South Shore Orthopedics, we are determined to help you find the solution to your problem. If you are suffering from joint pain, it could be time to consider one of the multiple types of joint replacement surgeries listed below.
Hip Replacement
A hip replacement surgery is one of the most common types of joint replacement surgeries. Here, an orthopedic doctor can complete a full or half hip replacement. The surgery works on the acetabulum and the femoral head during a total replacement. The half replacement only works on the femoral head.
Knee Replacement
When an orthopedic doctor must work on a knee replacement, it is considered more complex. This is the most complex joint of the body. A knee replacement is also known as knee arthroplasty. According to the Mayo Clinic, a surgeon will assess the range of motion, stability, and strength of your knee before choosing surgery.
The type of knee replacement surgery you require depends on the section of the knee that is injured. This can look like multiple things, from ACL surgery to a total knee replacement. Once it is decided if the surgery is partial or full, the orthopedic surgeon can make the next necessary steps towards the surgery.
Shoulder Replacement
When it comes to shoulder joint replacements, these do not appear as frequently as others. This is often used when medication and changes in activity do not relieve the pain you feel in the shoulder.
According to OrthoInfo, the treatment options are usually either the replacement of the head of the humerus bone (ball) or the replacement of both the ball and the socket (glenoid). Either of these is a possible choice, depending on the portion of your shoulder that is injured.
Elbow Replacement
For the elbow joint, the procedure is another one that is often deemed more complicated. This is because the elbow has many complex parts that work together precisely to control the movement of the forearm. The Mayo Clinic cites pain as the main reason people choose to have surgery over another option of medication or less invasive surgery.
This can also look like a total or partial replacement depending on where the damage lies. If only one section is damaged, the surgeon can go into just replace that. If it is the total elbow, the ends of the bones that come together are removed, and an artificial joint is placed instead.
Wrist Joint Replacement
The wrist joint is another that can receive surgery. While it is less common, it is a great option for severe arthritis pain when no other pain relief has worked. During this surgery, the affected parts of the wrist joint are taken out and replaced with an artificial joint to do the job instead. All types of joint replacement surgeries are intending to rid the patient of pain.
Ankle Replacement
Another one of the types of joint replacement is in the ankle. During an ankle replacement surgery, an artificial implant takes on the job of a damaged ankle joint. As defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the ankle joint is where the shinbone (tibia) rests on top of the talus bone in your foot.
This joint is often affected by arthritis as the cartilage on the surface of the bones wears away. The wearing away causes pain, inflammation, and even swelling of this joint. When the pain becomes too severe, surgery is an option to reduce it.
Learning about the different types of joint replacement surgery can make the process less intimidating. There is always more to know about maintaining healthy joints. Do you have questions about joint replacement surgery? Our medical staff at South Shore Orthopedics is here to help. Check out our website or give us a call at (781) 337-5555.