You’ve been enduring that nagging joint pain long enough. It has stifled you from doing everything you want, even walking the dog as far as you’d like or using the stairs as often as you want to.
You may have been told that you should consider having a joint replacement, and rest assured, it’s easier and safer for the patient than ever before. Whether you need a total knee replacement, a total hip replacement, or a partial replacement of a joint, the surgery is likely to be outpatient.
Let’s answer some common questions about joint replacement surgery, and where you can go in Southwest Florida for world-class orthopedic treatment.
How Can a Total Joint Replacement Be Outpatient?
Today’s minimally invasive medical technology enables orthopedic doctors to now perform many types of joint replacements relatively quickly and without large incisions. This translates to a quicker recovery for your body when healing, thanks to less trauma to your body during the surgery. This makes an observation in the hospital unnecessary and allows patients to be sent home on the same day.
If your affected joint is your hip or knee, ask your surgeon about MAKOplasty. This is a highly advanced technique that involves your surgeon using a robotic arm along with a sophisticated computer navigation system to make precise surgical cuts in the bone. The MAKOplasty robotic system allows your orthopedic surgeon to perform joint replacement surgery with optimal control, efficiency, flexibility, and precision.
How Do Doctors Perform a Joint Replacement with Small Incisions?
The idea of a joint replacement seems like a big deal, but today’s surgeons can go inside the joint with very thin, tiny instruments. Because the instruments are so small, the incisions can be small. The doctor then removes the joint and replaces it with the prosthetic joint. More importantly than a small incision is that with newer techniques such as Anterior Hip Replacement, joint replacement can be performed without any damage to the muscles and tendons allowing for faster recoveries without any restrictions.
Will My New Joint Feel Natural?
Today’s medical technology is even better than it was just a few years ago. Implants themselves are made of higher quality materials which last longer. With better manufacturing processes a variety of different sizes and shapes are available to more precisely match the patient’s anatomy. This helps to make the new joint feel and act as natural as possible.
Will Others Be Able to Tell I Have a Prosthesis?
No. The prosthetic joint will be completely inside the skin just like your original joint was. It will look completely natural with the exception of the small surgical scar.
How Long Does Recovery Take After a Joint Replacement?
That depends on which joint is being replaced, your overall health and physical condition (e.g., how strong your muscles are), and, frankly, your own adherence to following your surgeon’s directions. Many people skip steps during recovery after having joint replacement surgery, but this just makes the healing process that much longer.
Your recovery may take just a few weeks, or it may last longer. Everyone’s body is different, and your surgeon will be able to give you an idea of what to expect.
Will I Be Able to Do Everything I Could Do Before Joint Replacement Surgery?
Once you recover, you should be able to perform most or all of your previous activities. However, high-impact exercises and sports are generally not advised, because of the risk of damaging the prosthetic joint.
Knee Replacement and Hip Replacement Surgeons in Southwest Florida
Here at the Advanced Orthopedic Center, our orthopedic doctors are specialists in joint replacement surgery and have many years of successful experience performing joint replacements for patients. Dr. Nicholas Connors and Dr. Jacob Pennington regularly perform hip and knee replacements through the revolutionary MAKOplasty procedure, and Dr. Jason Reiss is one of the most experienced orthopedic surgeons in all of Florida performing minimally invasive Anterior Hip Replacement surgery. Our surgeons can evaluate and treat virtually any musculoskeletal issue anywhere in your body.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding orthopedic doctors in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (941) 629-6262 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get back to the active lifestyle you enjoy!
