Total Joint Replacement
General Orthopedic Surgeons located in Benbrook, Ft Worth, TX
Total joint replacement can relieve pain and restore your mobility if you have osteoarthritis or another condition that affects your independence. At Southwest Orthopedic Associates in Fort Worth, Texas, general orthopedic surgeon Joseph Daniels, DO, has more than 30 years of experience performing total joint replacement surgery. Call the office today to request a total joint replacement consultation, or book your appointment online.
Most cases of joint pain improve with conservative and noninvasive treatments, such as physical therapy, bracing, or regenerative medicine. If your symptoms continue or worsen, even after these measures, you may benefit from a total joint replacement.
That’s particularly true if you have an underlying musculoskeletal issue, including:
After an exam and diagnostic imaging, Southwest Orthopedic Associates can make personalized treatment recommendations.
Before total joint replacement, your Southwest Orthopedic Associates provider completes a preoperative physical. They may recommend a special diet or physical therapy program, depending on your age and general health.
Your provider orders a series of lab tests, including bloodwork and urinalysis. Let them know about the prescription medicines you take, as certain drugs (like blood thinners) can cause complications.
Fast for at least 12 hours on the night before surgery, only drinking water.
Southwest Orthopedic Associates completes total joint replacement at a nearby hospital or surgical facility.
Before treatment begins, they administer a local anesthetic to numb your joint and a general anesthetic, to put you to sleep. Once you’re comfortable, your surgeon makes several small incisions near the joint and removes the damaged or diseased bone and surrounding tissue.
Your surgeon replaces your joint with a prosthetic made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. Then, they close your incisions with surgical glue, bandage the site, and move you to a recovery area for observation.
After total joint replacement, you may get to go home or you might need to stay in the hospital, depending on the joint replaced. Before surgery, your provider explains what to expect during recovery.
If you get to go home, have a friend or family member pick you up. It takes several hours for the anesthetic to wear off, so it’s not safe to drive.
In the days after your operation, it’s normal to experience pain, swelling, and bruising. During the first few days of recovery:
Once you begin recovery, it’s essential to enroll in physical therapy. Following your surgeon’s exercise program can speed up your healing process and reduce the risk of complications.
Call Southwest Orthopedic Associates today to learn more about total joint replacement, or make your appointment online.