Joint Replacement Specialist

What is a joint replacement?

At Pinnacle Orthopaedics, Dr. Peterson and his orthopedic team do joint replacements to eliminate your pain and help your joint function properly again.

A joint replacement is a surgery that removes your damaged, injured, or arthritic joint and replaces it with a prosthesis (an artificial joint) made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. 

Your new joint components move and function just like those in a healthy joint.

What joints can get a joint replacement?

Dr. Peterson can replace many diseased or damaged joints, but the hip and knee are the most common. Joint replacement can also be used to treat diseased or damaged shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle joints.

If you’ve suffered damage to a joint from arthritis, overuse, or injury, you should schedule an appointment at Pinnacle Orthopaedics for an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment.

Am I a candidate for a joint replacement?

If you suffer from chronic pain, find that range of motion is limited, and your joint is just not functioning as it should, you could be a candidate for a joint replacement.

Before recommending surgery, Dr. Peterson chooses a conservative approach that includes treatments like physical therapy, medicine, and devices that can assist you.

If you don’t show any signs of improvement or your condition gets worse, Dr. Peterson will order diagnostic testing to find out what’s causing your problem and how severe it is. He could decide that you need a joint replacement at that time.

What can I expect after my joint replacement?

Depending on what joint you had replaced, you might stay in the hospital for a few days. In some cases, you might need to go to a rehab facility before returning home. Many patients are actually able to go home the same day their total joint replacement is performed.  

Usually, you’ll begin using your new joint immediately. For example, if you have hip surgery, the medical team will have you take short walks on the day of your surgery or by the next day. You’ll be provided with a supportive device like a walker or a cane to help keep you stable.

Your physical therapy begins the day after your surgery. You’ll work to strengthen the muscles around your artificial joint, which will help you get used to it quickly. Your progress is monitored closely as you adjust to your new joint.

Call the Pinnacle Orthopaedics office nearest you today or schedule an appointment online if you think a joint replacement might be right for you.