Joint Replacement

When is surgery needed for joint replacement?

Causes of osteoarthritis

How to prevent or treat osteoarthritis without surgery

If you have knee or hip pain that doesn’t go away with rest, you may need a joint replacement. At Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy (M.O.S.T), the experienced, compassionate team of orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists can help you determine if a joint replacement is right for you. If you live in or near Potomac, Maryland and are ready to say goodbye to your joint pain for good, contact the office today to schedule your initial consultation. You can even book online. “M.O.S.T” serves the communities of Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Washington DC, Chevy Chase, Frederick, Poolesville, McLean, VA, Dulles, VA, and Fairfax, VA.

Joint Replacement Q & A

When you have joint replacement surgery, your orthopedic surgeon removes your damaged, injured, or arthritic joint and replaces it with an artificial joint device, called a prosthesis. This prosthesis is made from metal, plastic, or ceramic, and is designed to replicate a healthy joint’s movement and function.

With the artificial joint, you have less pain, more mobility, and better joint function.

The team of orthopedic surgeons at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy can perform joint replacement surgeries on many joints, but the most common include the hip, knee, and shoulder.

If you have chronic joint pain, a limited range of motion, or problems with how your joint functions, you may need a joint replacement. Before recommending surgery, your Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy physician opts for less invasive treatments like physical therapy, medications, and assistive devices when appropriate.

If you don’t notice any improvement or your condition worsens, your doctor may perform diagnostic testing to investigate your condition’s cause and severity further. That could include X-rays or an MRI of your troublesome joint.

In most cases, you start using your new joint the same day as your surgery. With knee and hip surgery, you’re often up, taking short walks the same day as your surgery or the next. At first, you may use a walker or cane for stability.

The day of your joint replacement, physical therapy begins. You’ll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles around your artificial joint and get accustomed to how the new joint functions. These exercises may need to be done multiple times a day for the first few weeks after surgery.

If you think you may need a joint replacement, see one of the highly-trained professionals at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy. Call the office today or go online to book your appointment.