In total joint replacement orthopedic surgery, the surgeon will remove parts of an arthritic or damaged joint and replace it with a plastic, metal or ceramic 
device known as a prosthesis. The prosthesis replicates the movement of a healthy, normal joint.
The most commonly performed replacements are the knee and hip replacements. However, joint replacement can also be performed on other joints such as the wrist, elbow, ankle, and wrist.
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, provides joint replacement surgery to patients in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other towns and neighborhoods in this part of SoCal.
When Is Total Joint Replacement Recommended?
Many conditions can lead to joint pain and disability causing the patients to seek joint replacement surgery. In several cases, pain in the joint occurs due to damage to the cartilage which lines the ends of the bones, also known as articular cartilage. This damage may occur either from a fracture, arthritis or another condition.
Hip Replacement Requirement
If the hip suffers damage from a fracture, arthritis, or other conditions, routine activities such as walking, or sitting and rising from a chair may be challenging and painful. The hip may feel stiff making it hard to wear shoes and socks. It may even be uncomfortable to rest.
In case medicines, alterations to the daily activities, and the usage of walking supports do not sufficiently mitigate the patient’s symptoms; they may consider a hip replacement orthopedic surgery. This surgical procedure is safe and effective. It can relieve pain, increase the range of motion, and assist the patient in getting back to enjoying routine, daily activities.
Need for Knee Replacement
The patient may require knee replacement in the following circumstances:
- Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that does resolve with rest or medicine
- Knee deformity such as bowing in or out of the knee
- Inability to significantly improve with other treatments such as cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory meds, lubricating injections, physical therapy, or other surgical procedures
Surgical Procedure
The orthopedic surgeon takes a few hours to perform total joint replacement surgery in an outpatient surgery center or hospital.
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the compromised bone and cartilage from the patient’s joint and replaces it with prosthetic components comprising of plastic, metal, or ceramic. The prosthesis replicates the movement and shape of a normal joint.
For instance, the surgeon will replace the damaged ball (the upper end of the femur) in an arthritic hip with a metal ball linked to a metal stem. They will fit this into the femur and implant a plastic socket into the pelvis as a replacement for the damaged socket.
Recovery
Every individual will experience a different recovery and rehabilitation process. Generally, the surgeon will encourage the patient to use their “new” joint shortly following the surgery. While it may be difficult at times, following the surgeon’s guidelines will lead to a speedier recovery for the patient.
Exercise is an integral part of the recovery process. The surgeon or a physical therapist will ask the patient to do particular exercises to enable the restoration of strength and movement in the joint. Accomplished orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan receives patients from North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for joint replacement surgery.
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Century City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
