What Is Joint Replacement Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, involves removing damaged or diseased joints and replacing them with artificial components. These orthopedic implants, often made of metal, plastic or ceramic, are designed to mimic the movement of a natural, healthy joint. The procedure aims to relieve chronic joint pain, improve joint function and help patients move more comfortably.
This type of orthopedic surgery is most commonly performed on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, but can also treat conditions in the shoulders, ankles, elbows and fingers. Whether it is a total joint replacement or a ball joint replacement, the procedure is often considered when nonsurgical treatments, including physical therapy after surgery, medications or assistive devices, no longer provide relief.
Joint replacement may significantly improve the quality of life for people with limited mobility due to arthritis or degenerative joint disease. When performed by an experienced team using advanced techniques, such as robotic-assisted joint replacement, this surgery can help patients return to everyday activities with reduced pain and greater confidence.
Why Would You Need a Joint Replacement?
If you are struggling with chronic joint pain that makes it difficult to walk, bend or perform everyday tasks, joint replacement may be an option to help restore your mobility and independence. A patient who needs joint replacement usually has damaged joints due to arthritis, injury, disease or simply years of wear and tear.
Your doctor may first recommend conservative treatment options like medications, lifestyle changes or orthopedic rehab, but if these methods fail, a joint replacement procedure may be necessary.
Conditions and injuries that may require joint replacement include:
- Osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis, often related to aging, that causes joint cartilage to wear down over time.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune condition that leads to painful inflammation and joint deterioration.
- Osteonecrosis – a condition where reduced blood flow causes bone tissue to die and joints to collapse.
- Bone tumors – abnormal growths that can weaken or damage the joint structure.
- Loss of joint cartilage - reduces cushioning and leads to painful movement.
- Degenerative joint disease, whether inflammatory or noninflammatory, affects a joint's stability and function.
Understanding joint replacement surgery and when to consider surgery can help you make informed decisions about your health. If joint pain limits your lifestyle, talk to your orthopedic doctor about whether a joint replacement surgery might be right for you.
What To Expect During the Joint Surgery Procedure?
Preparing for joint replacement surgery is essential to improving your mobility and quality of life. Whether you are having surgery on your knee, hip, shoulder or joint, understanding what to expect before, during and after the procedure can help ease any concerns and ensure a smoother recovery.
- Before the Procedure
In the weeks leading up to your joint replacement procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will perform a complete medical evaluation, which may include blood tests, X-rays or MRIs to assess the severity of joint damage. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or corticosteroids, to reduce surgical risks. You may also be encouraged to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet and engage in light exercise to build strength and support a better outcome. Planning is key. This includes organizing a ride to and from the hospital, preparing your home for limited mobility and arranging for help with daily activities during the early phase of recovery.
- During the Procedure
Once you arrive at the hospital or outpatient center, you will be given anesthesia either regional (to numb a specific area) or general (to put you to sleep). The orthopedic surgery typically takes one to two hours, depending on the joint and the complexity of the case.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision over the joint to remove damaged bone and cartilage. The area will then be fitted with prosthetic components designed to function like a healthy, natural joint. Once the joint replacement surgery is complete, you will be moved to a recovery area where your medical team will monitor your initial response to the procedure and anesthesia.
- After the Procedure
Most patients experience temporary discomfort around the replaced joint, especially in the surrounding muscles, which may have weakened over time. Your surgeon and physical therapist will guide you through a personalized rehabilitation program to restore movement and strength.
While recovery varies by person, many patients resume daily routines within a few months. Joint implants can last 15 to 20 years or more with proper care and moderate activity.
To learn more about how to prepare for a joint replacement read our MD insights blog How To Prepare for Joint Replacement Surgery
When and Why Revision Joint Replacement Is Needed?
Most surgeries, particularly total joint replacements, relieve pain and improve mobility for many years. However, over time, some patients may experience complications that affect the function of their orthopedic implant. When this happens, a revision joint replacement or joint revision surgery may be necessary to remove and replace the old implant with a new one.
Several factors can lead to the need for revision surgery, including:
- Implant wear and loosening – The implant components can wear down or become loose over years of use, leading to pain and reduced joint function.
- Infection – In rare cases, bacteria can infect the area around the artificial joint, causing inflammation and tissue damage that may require surgery to remove the infected implant and treat the infection.
- Instability or joint dislocation – If the joint becomes unstable or moves out of place, a revision procedure may help restore proper alignment and mobility.
- Fractures – A bone fracture near the implant may interfere with the stability of the joint and require surgical repair or replacement.
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion – Some patients experience tightness or limited mobility following initial surgery, which may improve with a revision procedure.
Knowing when to consider revision surgery often depends on the severity of symptoms, how long the original implant has been in place and how the condition affects your daily life. If you are experiencing persistent pain, swelling or joint instability after a previous joint replacement procedure, talk to your orthopedic surgeon about whether joint revision surgery is right for you.
