Arthroplasty (2024)

What is arthroplasty?

Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to restore the function of a joint. Ajoint can be restored by resurfacing the bones. An artificial joint (calleda prosthesis) may also be used.

Various types of arthritis may affect the joints. Osteoarthritis, ordegenerative joint disease, is a loss of the cartilage or cushion in ajoint, and is the most common reason for arthroplasty.

Why might I need arthroplasty?

Arthroplasty may be used when medical treatments no longer effectivelyrelieve joint pain and disability. Some medical treatments forosteoarthritis that may be used before arthroplasty include:

Anti-inflammatory medicines
Pain medicines
Limiting painful activities
Assistive devices for walking (such as a cane)
Physical therapy
Cortisone injections into a knee joint
Viscosupplementation injections (to add lubrication into the joint to make joint movement less painful)
Weight loss (for obese people)
Exercise and conditioning

People who have arthroplasty generally have substantial improvement intheir joint pain, ability to perform activities, and quality of life.

Most joint surgery involves the hip and knee, with surgery on the ankle,elbow, shoulder, and fingers being done less often.

There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommendarthroplasty. Please see hip replacement and knee replacement surgicalprocedures for more specific information.

What are the risks of arthroplasty?

As with any surgical procedure, complications can happen. Some possiblecomplications may include:

How do I prepare for arthroplasty?

Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you and offer you the chance to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.
You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.
In addition to a complete medical history, your healthcare provider may perform a complete physical exam to ensure you are in good health before undergoing the procedure. You may undergo blood tests or other diagnostic tests.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, and anesthetic agents (local and general).
Tell your healthcare provider of all medicines (prescribed and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary for you to stop these medicines before the procedure.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should notify your healthcare provider.
You will be asked to fast for 8 hours before the procedure, generally after midnight.
You may receive a sedative before the procedure to help you relax.
You may meet with a physical therapist prior to your surgery to discuss rehabilitation.
Arrange for someone to help around the house for a week or two after you are discharged from the hospital.
Based on your medical condition, your healthcare provider may request other specific preparation.

What happens during arthroplasty?

Arthroplasty usually requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures may varydepending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices.

Arthroplasty may be done while you are asleep under general anesthesia, orwhile you are awake under localized anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist willdiscuss this with you in advance.

Generally, arthroplasty follows this process:

You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.
An intravenous (IV) line may be started in your arm or hand.
You will be positioned on the operating table in a manner that provides the best access to the joint being operated on.
A urinary catheter may be inserted.
If there is excessive hair at the surgical site, it may be shaved off.
The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.
The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
The healthcare provider will make an incision in the area of the joint.
The healthcare provider will repair or remove the damaged parts of the joint.
The incision will be closed with stitches or surgical staples.
A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied.

What happens after arthroplasty?

In the hospital

After the surgery you will be taken to the recovery room for observation.Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you arealert, you will be taken to your hospital room. Arthroplasty usually needsan in-hospital stay of several days.

It is important to begin moving the new joint after surgery. A physicaltherapist will meet with you soon after your surgery and plan an exerciserehabilitation program for you. Your pain will be controlled with medicineso that you can participate in the exercise program. You will be given anexercise plan to follow both in the hospital and after discharge.

You will be discharged home or to a rehabilitation center. In either case,your healthcare provider will arrange for continuation of physical therapyuntil you regain muscle strength and good range of motion.

At home

Once you are home, it will be important to keep the surgical area clean anddry. Your healthcare provider will give you specific bathing instructions.The stitches or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up officevisit.