All About Total Joint Replacement

The joints in your body can experience pain and dysfunction due to injury or long-term wear-and-tear. And when joint issues start to significantly impede your quality of life, it may be time to consider total joint replacement surgery.

At MidJersey Orthopaedics, our team of dedicated orthopaedic surgeons provides expert care to new and existing patients in need of surgical joint replacement. We support patients in Flemington, Bridgewater, and Washington, New Jersey. Our team offers state-of-the-art total joint replacement treatment and care that continues after your procedure is complete.

Deciding on total joint replacement surgery

The team at MidJersey Orthopaedics can evaluate joint issues and recommend the best way to proceed. We use the most conservative interventions possible to reduce your pain and discomfort and help you get and stay active.

If the condition of your joints requires it, we can use partial or total joint replacement to switch out worn or damaged components of a natural joint with prosthetic parts that will function just as well as an undamaged joint.

Total joint replacement surgery can restore joints, including shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and more. The procedure may be right for you if your joint pain or dysfunction prevents you from completing daily tasks, if you’ve tried more conservative treatment approaches without results, and if you’re facing advanced arthritis or joint damage.

What to expect during your surgery

During total joint replacement surgery, our MidJersey Orthopaedics team creates a surgical incision and removes your damaged joint. We then replace the removed joint with a man-made prosthetic joint before closing the incision. Your new joint can contain parts made of metal, ceramic, or plastic.

Joint replacement surgery can be either an inpatient or an outpatient procedure. Most joint replacement surgeries only take about two hours to complete. You should plan on having a caregiver available to support you with basic tasks after your surgery, and may need at-home support for the first two weeks of your recovery.

After your total joint replacement surgery

Following your surgical procedure, you’ll need to prioritize physical therapy for a full recovery. You may need assistance for standing and walking right after your procedure. You can improve your post-surgical outcomes by starting to get in shape before your surgery.

Typically, people who were in good shape before surgery need about six weeks for recovery, while less-fit individuals may need as long as three months to be totally ready to resume daily routines. Mobility tools like a cane or walker, handlebars for bathroom access, and shoehorns or long-handled grippers can all make your recovery period safer and easier.

Once you’ve recovered from surgery, your replacement joint moves and functions almost exactly like a natural joint, restoring your free and full range of motion so you can get back to living your life to the fullest.

To learn more about what to expect from a total joint replacement procedure, get in touch with the experts at MidJersey Orthopaedics today. Schedule your initial consultation over the phone, or book online now.