A Cut Above the Rest
Joints can be damaged by injuries, arthritis and disease or simply through years of use. When joints become damaged, there is painful bone on bone contact. Those afflicted with acute pain experience loss of mobility and a subsequent decrease in their quality of life. The goal of joint replacement surgery is to reduce pain, restore mobility and get people back on their feet enjoying life and doing the things they love to do.
Total joint replacement surgery has transformed the lives of thousands of people whose joints no longer functioned properly. When surgery is the best treatment option, it is vital to find a surgical team and a facility that spans the entire joint replacement experience and is built on things that matter most like clinical excellence, innovation, education and patient care.
When faced with joint replacement surgery, patients should do their homework. Experience matters. The care team matters. Your replacement journey must include a surgical team that combines pre-surgery education, compassionate bedside care, supportive rehabilitation services and a well-trained, experienced patient care team. It is important to have a board certified surgeon and a trained nursing staff who have the knowledge and experience to work with you every step of the way.
A proven track record of quality care, high patient satisfaction and a commitment to excellence can significantly reduce readmission rates, foster quicker recovery times, instill confidence and ease pain. Great physicians and nurses are good at what they do because they do it all the time.
"Orthopedic surgery may not be life-saving, but it is quality of life-saving. If you or a loved one need a joint replacement, or an evaluation to determine if one is needed, please consider Portneuf Orthopedic Surgery. Our team of nurses, medical assistants, staff, care coordinators, and providers are top notch. It has been a pleasure working with them. We will do our best to care for you with the latest treatments and advanced technologies.” Cody Martin, MD
To ensure precision and safety during joint replacement surgeries, our orthopedic surgeons are trained to use Smart Robotics, the MAKO robotic arm.
Because our team is active, both educationally and clinically, we have access to many of the latest treatments and newest technologies. We consistently rank among the top in the northwest region for performing cutting-edge and innovative orthopedic surgeries.
Our team performs hundreds of joint replacements annually and we care for well over 800 orthopedic patients each year. In fact, studies show that our total joint replacement patients are happier, healthier and stronger after surgery than patients at some other facilities. The Total Joint Center and our advanced joint replacement program can help you return to an active lifestyle and a higher quality of living.
Hip Replacement
The biggest benefit of hip replacement surgery, and any joint replacement surgery, is the relief from the symptoms of stiffness and pain. After the recommended recovery period from this surgery, you’ll likely find that you can do many activities that were painful to do before, such as walking up stairs or going to the grocery store. Replacing the damaged joint will improve quality of life by allowing you to restore much of your independence that the pain limited.
Osteoarthritis (arthritis of the joints), develops slowly and worsens over time, causing the following to occur:
- Cartilage wears away
- Joint space between the bones decreases
- Bones spurs can occur
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Pain with vigorous activity
- Pain in hips, thigh, and groin
- Stiffness of hip joints, causing difficulty walking or bending
- Decreased range of motion
Many common first steps before surgery is suggested are some non-surgical treatment options to help the hips, including:
- Walking aids, like a cane
- Physical therapy
- Exercise program - to manage weight
- Medications or injections
When these options don’t seem to help, that is when hip replacement surgery is recommended.
Knee Replacement Surgery
You and your doctor will decide together if the best option for your arthritis is surgery. One of the best benefits of this surgery is that it relieves the symptoms of arthritis, including:
- Severe pain that limits everyday activity
- Pain that wakes you at night
- Deformity (bowleg or knock knees)
- Stiffness
Most patients who undergo this surgery experience a change in their quality of life for the better. After recovery, they are able to perform many of the everyday activities that they couldn’t participate in before.
Any combination of these factors can cause stiffness and pain and limit activity.
In an arthritic knee, several things occur that can cause pain and may eventually include surgery.
- Cartilage lining is extremely thin or gone. The degree of cartilage damage varies with the stage and type of arthritis.
- Swollen knee cap.
- Space for joint is narrow and irregular.
- Bone spurs and excessive bone can build up.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Osteoarthritis, or arthritis of the joints, is diagnosed through an examination of a patient’s medical history, a physical exam, and x-rays. A primary care doctor may be able to diagnose this, or at least notice the signs to refer you to a specialist.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Although shoulder joint replacement is less common than knee or hip replacement, it is just as successful in relieving joint pain. When nonsurgical treatments such as medication and activity modifications no longer relieve pain, you may want to consider shoulder joint replacement surgery.
The decision to have shoulder surgery should be a cooperative one between you, your family, your family physician, and your orthopedic surgeon.
People who benefit from surgery often have:
- Severe shoulder pain that interferes with everyday activities, such as reaching into a cabinet, dressing, toileting, and washing.
- Moderate to severe pain while resting. This pain may be severe enough to keep you up at night.
- Loss of motion and/or weakness in the shoulder.
- Failure to substantially improve with other nonsurgical treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and/or physical therapy.
