Cementless Total Knee Replacement

1. What is cementless total knee replacement?
Cement is traditionally used to help the metal and plastic bond to the bony surfaces of the knee bones. In certain young patients, the components of the replacement may be placed in the knee without cement to allow bony ingrowth to the prosthesis. This may last longer than a traditional total knee replacement.

Ceramic Bearings

1. What are ceramic bearings?
Traditional hip replacements have a metal ball in a plastic cup. Younger patients undergoing hip replacement are at an increased risk for the plastic to wear out. Therefore, it may be recommended to have a ceramic ball and socket instead. These bearings may improve the duration of the prothesis.

Resurfacing

1. What is resurfacing?
Resurfacing of the shoulder involves replacing the worn out top part of the humerus with a metal cap. This allows for more motion and less pain from arthritis. It can be done alone (hemiarthroplasty), or in conjunction with a replacement of the socket (total shoulder replacement.

2. Who has resurfacing?
Resurfacing preserves more of the humerus bone. It is generally indicated for younger patients who will likely outlive their implant and require revision surgery in the future.

Custom Knee Replacement

1. What is a custom knee replacement?
Custom knee replacement is a process where the instruments used to perform a partial or total knee replacement are manufactured to fit every individual’s anatomy. The actual implants are the same as those currently used.

2. Why get a custom knee replacement?
The principle behind this procedure is to replace the cartilage that has been worn away. Therefore, the mechanics of the knee may be more “natural” feeling.

3. Who should get a custom knee replacement?
You should have a discussion with us about the pros and cons of this type of knee replacement.

4. Do custom knee replacements last longer?
Currently there is no data to suggest that this type of procedure is better than more traditional knee replacements or that it will last longer. Research on this topic is ongoing.

Metal Bearings

1. What are metal bearings?
Traditional hip replacements have a metal ball in a plastic cup. Younger patients undergoing hip replacement are at an increased risk for the plastic to wear out. Therefore, it may be recommended to have a metal ball AND a metal socket instead. These bearings may improve the duration of the prothesis.

Hemiarthroplasty

1. What is hemiarthroplasty?
Hemiarthroplasty is half of a total shoulder replacement. It is performed in cases of arthritis (where there is only wear on the humerus side of the joint or when the glenoid is so worn away, it cannot be replaced) or in certain types of fractures of the shoulder (proximal humerus fractures.

Gender Specific Replacement (the Female Knee)

1. What is a gender specific knee replacement?
The goal of knee replacement is to restore the knee joint to as close to a natural state as possible. Large studies of anatomy suggest there are subtle differences between male and female knees. Therefore, certain knee replacements have been designed specifically for female anatomy.

2. I’m a woman, shouldn’t I have a female knee replacement?
There are many different knee replacement designs that have excellent results in patients. You should discuss the type of knee replacement with one of us.

Minimally Invasive Approaches

1. What is a minimally invasive joint replacement?
There is currently no clear cut definition of minimally invasive hip and knee replacement. We offer joint replacements through small incisions and encourage aggressive mobilization and early discharge to home to restore a normal, healthy, and pain-free lifestyle as quickly as possible.

Total Shoulder Replacement

1. What is total shoulder replacement?
Total shoulder replacement involves replacing both the ball (humerus) and the socket (glenoid). It is done for arthritis.

Partial Knee Replacement

1. What is a partial knee replacement?
A partial knee replacement is a procedure to resurface a damaged compartment of the knee. Traditionally the knee is though to have an inner (medial), outer (lateral), and patellofemoral (underneath the kneecap) compartments.

2. Why not just replace the whole knee?
In some people, only one of the compartments develops arthritis. By replacing just the damaged compartment, the knee may function like there was no arthritis at all. Additionally, more bone is preserved in the event that revision surgery is needed at a later time (10-15 years later).

3. What is the recovery like?
Recovery tends to be quicker than a total knee replacement because there is less disruption to the knee joint and surrounding muscle.

Total Hip Replacement

1. What is a hip replacement?
A hip replacement is done a a hip that has severe arthritis. It involves replacing the ball (the top of the femur or thigh bone) and the socket (a part of the pelvis).

Total Knee Replacement

1. What is total knee replacement?
Total knee replacement involves resurfacing the knee cartilage surfaces with metal and plastic. It is done for severe arthritis of the knee.