Joint Replacement and Revision Surgery

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Living with chronic joint pain can make everyday activities like walking through the grocery store, climbing stairs or getting up from a chair feel like significant challenges. For many, that pain is caused by degenerative joint disease, arthritis or past injuries. When conservative treatments, such as medication, physical therapy or injections, no longer provide relief, joint replacement surgery may offer a path to long-term comfort and improved mobility. But not all joint replacements last forever. Over time, implants can wear down, become loose or develop complications. In these cases, revision joint replacement, or joint revision surgery, may be necessary to replace or repair a previous implant. The specialized procedure helps restore mobility and function when a prior joint replacement no longer performs as it should.

 Whether you are considering your first joint replacement procedure or exploring options for revision surgery, the team of experienced orthopedic doctors at Desert Care Network Primary & Specialty Care is here to help guide you through diagnosis and surgery, rehab after joint revision and recovery.  

 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.

What Are the Risks of Revision Joint Replacement Surgery?

Revision joint replacement is often more complex than the initial procedure. Because it requires removing the old implant and addressing damage to the surrounding bone and soft tissue, the surgery has unique risks and challenges.

Potential joint revision risks include:

• Poor wound healing
• Reduced range of motion or stiffness in the knee
• Infection in the wound or the new prosthesis
• Bleeding
• Blood clots in the legs, which may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• Fracture (i.e., broken bone) during surgery
• Damage to nerves or blood vessels
• Medical problems such as heart attack, lung complications or stroke

Despite these risks, many patients experience significant relief from pain and improved joint function after revision surgery. Understanding the potential complications and preparing accordingly can help improve the revision surgery recovery process and long-term results.

Find an Orthopedic Doctor in Coachella Valley

Living with joint pain can affect everything from your morning routine to your ability to stay active and independent. Whether you are just beginning to explore options for joint replacement surgery or need joint revision surgery, the orthopedic team at Desert Care Network Primary & Specialty Care is here to help guide your care every step of the way.

Our experienced orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat joint conditions caused by arthritis, injury or wear and tear. We offer a full spectrum of services from nonsurgical treatments and conservative pain management to advanced arthroplasty and revision joint replacement procedures.

At Desert Care Network Primary & Specialty Care, we take a personalized approach to care. If medications, therapy or lifestyle changes are not enough to relieve your chronic joint pain, our experienced and compassionate orthopedic surgeons are trained in minimally invasive techniques, including robotic-assisted joint replacement, to help you move with greater comfort and confidence.

Following surgery, we will work closely with you through a structured orthopedic rehab program, designed to support healing and help restore strength and flexibility.

Healthcare is better together. Find a doctor here, and we’ll provide helpful information about our orthopedic doctors and assist you in scheduling an appointment that fits your needs.