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Common Joint Surgeries

Joint surgery alleviates pain, restores mobility and function, and improves a patient’s quality of life.

Here’s a look at some of the most common joint surgeries performed in the United States each year.

Hip Replacement Surgery

Also known as hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery is performed when other nonsurgical hip joint treatments have failed. It involves replacing the patient’s femur (the thigh bone head) and the acetabulum (hip socket). The ball-and-socket joint at the hip connects the femur with the pelvis. When the cartilage at or around the hip joint begins to deteriorate and hinders function and movement, it needs to be replaced.

Hip replacement surgery takes two forms. In total replacement surgery, the ball-and-socket joint is completely removed and replaced with a plastic or metal prosthesis. In a partial replacement surgery, only the damaged portions of the joint are removed and replaced. The latter is a less-invasive surgery requiring a shorter recovery time.

Knee Replacement Surgery

Whereas hip replacement surgeries are usually specific to older individuals, this isn’t the case with knee replacement surgeries. A person may require knee surgery if they have knee arthritis or have sustained a severe knee injury while playing sports. Depending on the severity of the condition, they may then need joint replacement surgery to restore mobility and function.

A total knee replacement involves removing the entire damaged knee joint. It is replaced with a metal or plastic component, restoring knee movement. A partial knee replacement surgery only targets the injured and damaged cartilage at the joint.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder replacement surgeries are usually performed when a person sustains a serious shoulder joint injury because of repetitive motions, sports, or an accident. For instance, people with an advanced rotator cuff injury may require shoulder replacement surgery to restore the mobility of the ligaments and tendons in the shoulder.

Surgeons may adopt different approaches to treat the shoulder joint, depending on the severity of the cartilage damage. For instance, they may insert a metal humeral component in the humerus in total replacement surgery. Alternatively, they may replace only the humeral head with a metallic component in partial replacement surgery.

TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital is an award-winning surgical center that offers a range of treatments in Houston, including hip and knee replacement surgeries.

Visit our website today for more details and to find the right orthopedic surgeon near you.