Joint Replacement
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Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates
Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine located in Reading, PA
To ensure your joints are working properly, the experienced orthopaedic team at Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates offers comprehensive joint services at their office in Reading, Pennsylvania. In addition to innovative diagnostics and treatment options, the skilled surgeons also provide joint replacement surgeries to alleviate your pain and joint dysfunction for the long-term. Find out if you’re a candidate for joint replacement by calling the office today or use the online booking feature to schedule a consultation.
Joint Replacement Q & A
What Conditions Affect the Joints?
A number of acute and chronic conditions can affect the functionality of your joints. Many of these conditions can cause persistent pain and limitations in your movement, making it difficult to walk or attend to your usual activities.
Conditions that commonly affect the joints include:
- Gout
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Bone breaks
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
You may also experience chronic joint pain due to frequent dislocations or instability.
When Should I Consider Joint Replacement Surgery?
If you have a degenerative condition, such as osteoarthritis, or a chronic inflammatory disease, like bursitis, you may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery.
In many cases, your Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates provider first tries nonsurgical treatment options to relieve your pain and limited mobility. These options may include the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications for pain and inflammation relief. Physical therapy may also be useful in strengthening muscle surrounding your joints.
However, if these therapies aren’t effective in addressing your joint limitations and pain, you may benefit from joint replacement surgery.
Your provider can determine if you’re a good candidate for replacement surgery after a thorough evaluation of your condition and a review of your medical history. They may recommend surgery right away or take a wait-and-see approach to monitor joint deterioration and your level of pain and dysfunction.
What Can I Expect During Joint Replacement Surgery?
The goal of joint replacement surgery is to remove diseased or damaged components of the joint and replace them with a synthetic device that functions like your natural joint.
Replacement surgery is available to address joints of the:
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Shoulders
Using traditional open or minimally invasive surgical techniques, your Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates surgeon can replace your joint with a prosthetic device, securing the new joint in place with special cement or screws.
The team also offers the Oxford® knee replacement option, also known as a unicompartmental knee replacement. This surgery is ideal if you only need to replace one part of your knee. The procedure has the same goal as total knee replacement, improving your overall functionality and mobility.
A partial replacement is beneficial because the surgeon only needs to remove a smaller portion of the knee bone and surrounding cartilage, causing less trauma, so you heal faster.
Following your surgery, you may need to attend physical therapy sessions to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint and help you regain full functionality.
By replacing a diseased or damaged joint, you can enjoy a significant improvement in joint movement and a reduction in pain for the long-term. Learn more about the benefits of joint replacement surgery by calling Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates today or use the online booking feature to schedule a consultation.
*For more information on Joint Care & Replacement, click here