Joint Replacement

What is a joint replacement?

Joint replacement is a surgical procedure that involves removing the diseased or damaged joints and replacing them with prosthetic parts. 

When performing joint replacement surgery, Dr. Henderson aims to alleviate joint pain, improve joint function, and help you get back to doing the things you enjoy. 

Millions of Americans undergo joint replacement procedures every year. With advances in surgical techniques and prosthetic devices, most patients experience significant improvement in their quality of life following joint replacement.

What are the types of joint replacement procedures?

Dr. Henderson performs joint replacement for the knees, hips, and shoulders.

Knee joint replacement

The knee is a hinge joint and has the ability to move back and forth. During a knee joint replacement, Dr. Henderson removes the damaged end of your femur, top of your tibia, and inside of the kneecap and then replaces the surfaces with smooth prosthetic parts that dramatically improve movement and function. This procedure allows immediate full weight-bearing with return to most normal activities in two to three weeks.

Hip joint replacement

Your hip joint is a ball and socket joint. For a hip joint replacement, Dr. Henderson installs a new ball joint for your femur, while also replacing the surface of the pelvic socket joint. This allows immediate full weight-bearing with dramatically less pain. Normal activities can return in as little as two weeks.

Shoulder joint replacement

Like the hip, the shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. Joint replacement surgery for the shoulder typically involves replacing the ball joint and removing the damaged part of the socket joint to improve movement and reduce pain. Most normal activities can return in as little as two weeks.

Am I a candidate for a joint replacement?

Dr. Henderson is an experienced orthopedic surgeon who only performs surgery when absolutely necessary. He determines if you’re a candidate for joint replacement after a comprehensive evaluation. 

You may be a candidate if you have advanced arthritis or joint damage in your knee, hip, or shoulder and medical interventions no longer provide long-term relief. 

How long is recovery following joint replacement?

Recovery following joint replacement surgery varies and depends on the nature of your joint replacement procedure and your overall health. Modern knee and hip replacements allow immediate full weight bearing making the recovery as fast as your ambition will allow.

Dr. Henderson believes in your body’s God given natural healing powers and works closely with you to design a recovery plan that helps you get back to doing the things you love as quickly and safely as possible. 

In addition to regular office visits, he prescribes physical therapy to support your recovery efforts. The first two weeks postoperatively will be home physical therapy from a team of therapists that we have been working with for many years. After the two-week follow-up visit, outpatient physical therapy is often helpful.

While patients are able to be full weight-bearing immediately, most patients resume many of their usual activities 2 - 6 weeks after joint replacement. However, the length of the recovery is mostly dependent on the patient’s own ambition and motivation.

With a joint replacement, Dr. Henderson can help improve how you live, work, and play. To schedule a consultation to see if you’re a candidate for surgery, call or book an appointment online today.