70 Medical Center Circle, Suite 110 Fishersville, VA 22939
Hours: M-F, 7:30-5
644 University Blvd, Unit A, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Hours: M-F, 7:30-4
Make an appointment:(540) 932-5850
Fax: (540) 932-5851
Joint Replacement Surgery
Care for Your Joints
At Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our desire is to provide our patients with the most advanced surgical procedures available to maximize the function of their affected joint. The most common joint replacement surgeries are for shoulders, hips, and knees. New approaches to joint replacement minimize downtime for the patient and offer a significant reduction in pain almost immediately.
Many musculoskeletal conditions can cause pain and impair the normal function of joints. This disabling pain often leads patients to consider joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is a procedure that involves the removal of arthritic or damaged joint parts and replacing them with prosthetic parts made of high-grade metal, plastic, or ceramic. The prosthesis is designed to reproduce the movement of a normal, healthy joint. The majority of patients experience a dramatic reduction in pain and the restoration of joint function.
Hip Replacement
The goal of hip replacement surgery is to alleviate pain, restore mobility and increase the function of the diseased joint. This goal is achieved by removing the damaged or diseased parts of the hip and replacing them with a prosthesis. After a rehabilitation period, you will regain mobility and quality of life.
Knee Replacement
Knee replacement surgery can help relieve pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is to repair joint damage caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Total knee replacements are among the most successful procedures in all of medicine.
Shoulder Replacement
Less common than other joint replacement surgeries (but commonly performed by our specialists) shoulder replacement is very successful in relieving joint pain and restoring range of motion. In shoulder replacement surgery, the worn, damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components, known as a prosthesis.
When is Joint Replacement Surgery Recommended?
Joint replacement surgery is usually recommended when nonsurgical treatments no longer relieve pain or disability. Nonsurgical treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Injections
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Activity modification
- Walking aids to assist in mobility
- Minor arthroscopic debridement procedures
The articular cartilage, located at the ends of the bones within a joint, acts as a cushion and protects the bones from rubbing together. Over time, as this cartilage wears away, bone-on-bone friction causes pain and limits the use of joints. As the quality of your life becomes limited due to pain or disability, your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery.
What to Expect with Joint Replacement Surgery
At Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our team will discuss the process of joint replacement including surgical details, hospital care and therapy, postoperative expectations and rehabilitation. We want you to feel well-informed and optimistic about regaining your quality of life.
Joint replacement surgery generally takes a few hours. You may stay in the hospital for 1 – 2 days for pain management and physical therapy. Patients are encouraged to get up and moving the same day as the surgery to reduce postoperative complications. To make your surgery as successful as possible, a rehabilitation program will be designed specifically for you. The goal is to keep moving. This program will strengthen muscles, stretch muscles and ligaments, and help restore range of motion in the new joint. Your commitment to your rehabilitation program will guide the success of your joint replacement surgery. The majority of patients experience a considerable reduction in pain and are able to resume daily activities more easily after joint replacement surgery. The prosthetics used in the replacement joint will last for many years, offering improved quality of life with less pain and improved mobility.