Total Joint Replacement

Severe arthritis and certain joint injuries aren’t repairable, but total joint replacement offers hope for an active, pain-free future. Austin McPhilamy, MD, at McPhilamy Bone and Joint in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, specializes in total joint replacement surgery. He uses the most advanced techniques and robotic-assisted surgery to replace severely damaged joints. Call McPhilamy Bone and Joint to arrange a consultation or book an appointment via the online form today.

What is total joint replacement?

Total joint replacement involves removing badly damaged bone and cartilage in a joint and substituting them with artificial components. Sometimes one of the bones is healthy enough to preserve, in which case you might suit a partial joint replacement. But in most cases, Dr. McPhilamy performs total joint replacement.

He replaces the damaged joint with a prosthesis, a device made of metal, ceramic, plastic, or a combination that works just like a natural joint. Knee and hip joints are the ones that most often require replacing, but this surgery is also suitable for shoulders, ankles, wrists, and elbows.

Why would I need a total joint replacement?

Dr. McPhilamy might recommend total joint replacement if you have severe pain, weakness, and mobility problems in a joint and other treatments are ineffective.

Most joint problems improve with conservative approaches like rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. Some injuries might require temporary braces or splints to support them while they heal. However, conditions that are untreatable using these methods, like a joint severely shattered in an auto accident, might need replacing.

The most common problem leading to total joint replacement is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most widespread form, develops over the years as aging and constant use wear away the protective articular cartilage. This slippery, tough coating enables bone ends in your joints to slide over one another. Arthritis damage causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness.

Conservative treatments can keep pain under control for some time, and joint injections help as the condition deteriorates. But eventually, the bones are too badly damaged for these treatments to work. This is when a total joint replacement could be your best option.

What happens during total joint replacement surgery?

Dr. McPhilamy typically performs total joint replacement surgery while you’re unconscious after a general anesthetic. The method he uses to access your joint depends on what joint he’s replacing and your age, weight, and general health.

Traditional open surgery involves making large incisions into the skin and muscle to reach the joint. It might be possible to go in from the front (anterior approach), side (lateral approach), or back (posterior approach).

Some approaches, like direct anterior hip replacement, enable Dr. McPhilamy to use muscle-sparing techniques where he moves the tissues aside rather than cutting deeply into them. He also uses Mako® robotic technology for optimal precision.

Call McPhilamy Bone and Joint to learn more about total joint replacement, or book an appointment online today.