Frequently Asked Questions

What is joint replacement?
When arthritis or other conditions cause chronic pain that inhibits activity and can’t be addressed through medications, physical therapy or other treatments, replacing the affected joint can help. Joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which a worn out or injured joint, most often the knee or hip, is replaced with a metal, ceramic or plastic joint. For many people, a new minimally invasive joint replacement technique requires a much smaller incision, shorter hospital stay, less time for recovery and less trauma on surrounding muscles and tissues.  

This surgery has been widely used for many years with excellent results, especially with knees and hips. Other joints, such as shoulders, elbows and knuckles, may also be replaced.

How is the knee replaced?
Simply put, an incision is made on the front or side of the knee and the damaged joint and bone removed. The surfaces of the knee structure are shaped to hold the new joint. The new joint is then aligned and secured to the thighbone, kneecap and shinbone. Your orthopedic surgeon can provide more details. After you are scheduled for joint replacement surgery, our Joint Replacement Orientation will walk you through pre- and post-surgery preparation and the surgical procedure as well as answer any questions you may have.

How is the hip replaced?
An incision is made on the side of your hip and the damaged joint is removed. The surface of your old socket is smoothed and the new socket is put into the pelvis. The new ball and stem component is inserted into the upper thighbone. Then, the new ball and stem are joined with the socket. After you are scheduled for joint replacement surgery, our Joint Replacement Orientation will walk you through pre- and post-surgery preparation and the surgical procedure as well as answer any questions you may have.

What are the typical causes of this level of joint pain?
Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms affect an estimated 66 million, or one in every three, Americans. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability for those over age 15, is second only to heart disease in causes of work disability. In osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in a joint deteriorates. As bone begins to rub against bone, pain increases, and loss of movement accelerates. Many people experience this discomfort for years, mistakenly believing that they are too young to suffer from joint problems or that nothing can be done to help.

Is joint replacement right for me?
Growing numbers of people are active well into their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. Those with active lifestyles (baby boomers in particular) are experiencing more wear and tear, and consequent pain, at a younger age. While the benefits and risks of any surgery should be discussed in detail with your orthopedic surgeon, joint replacement can often be even more successful when you are active and in good health.
If you:

• Are unable to sleep at night because of the pain;
• Have tried medications and they haven’t alleviated the pain or the medication you have been on no longer works:
• Feel that the pain from your arthritis is keeping you from regular activities such as visiting friends, going shopping or taking a vacation: or
• Have to restrict your activity to the point where you have trouble getting out of a chair or bed, going up stairs or just moving,

Then you may want to talk with your orthopedic surgeon about joint replacement surgery.

What are the primary benefits of joint replacement surgery?
Typical benefits include:

• Improved movement and use of a joint. Surgery can replace or stabilize the joint, allowing you to stand and walk more easily.
• Pain relief. Surgery can relieve pain that doesn't respond to other treatment options.
• Improved alignment of deformed joints. Re-aligning the joints can improve the functioning of those joints, and create cosmetic improvements.

What are the considerations associated with joint replacement surgery?

Joint Replacement is considered when conservative, less aggressive treatments have failed. The major indication to consider joint replacement is persistent, disabling pain. Rest and night pains are usually the final stages of a painful joint. Functional limitations and decreasing quality of life issues are additional indications for joint replacement.

• Other health problems must be under control. If you have a medical condition such as heart disease or lung problems, the strain of surgery could be too much for you. Infections also must be cleared up before surgery or they could cause serious complications.
• Blood clots can develop. You can reduce this risk by taking blood-thinning medications and doing leg exercises to increase circulation before surgery.
• Being overweight can add extra stress on your heart and lungs during surgery. Excess pounds can also slow your recovery. If you are overweight, think about the risks carefully and consider losing weight before you decide to go ahead with the operation.
• Recovery takes time and requires a commitment from you. There are exercises and a strict treatment plan that you'll need to follow after the procedure. Your willingness to put effort into your recovery can make a big difference in how well you recover. You’ll need to be ready for several weeks of work after the operation to make it a success.

Will there be a lot of pain after the surgery?
While the new, minimally invasive procedures available through our Joint Replacement Center require a smaller incision and less recovery time, some pain will accompany it as it does with any surgical procedure. Anesthesiologists and pain management specialists, also part of the Joint Replacement Center team, work with each patient to control pain. Many factors, including your tolerance for pain, physical condition and level of activity prior to your surgery will impact the level of pain you may experience.

How long do joint replacement surgery and recovery typically take?
For patients eligible for minimally invasive joint replacement, surgery and recovery times are typically shorter. In general, the surgical procedure to replace a knee or hip takes about one or two hours. Many patients, again depending on general health and physical condition, are out of bed the same day as the surgery or the following day. If you work and your job requires little physical exertion, you may return to it six weeks after surgery or less.

It will be as long as three months before you can do more vigorous activities, such as prolonged walking, standing or lifting. Some kinds of labor, such as construction work, may not be advisable following joint replacement. Discuss your occupation in detail with your orthopedic surgeon if you have concerns. Two to three days in the hospital is typical, but some people return home after just one day.

Most people are able to resume driving about six weeks after their surgery. You should have regained adequate muscle control for braking and accelerating before you try to drive. The actual time varies with type of vehicle and whether the joint replaced is affected by driving.

Before long, more vigorous activities such as walking or swimming will usually be recommended to keep you healthy and your joint mobile. Pursuits such as golf and bowling are also good.

Most people who undergo joint replacement surgery are dramatically better after six weeks and continue to improve for several months. Most also experience a dramatic reduction in pain at the affected joint and a significant improvement in ability to perform common activities. Keep in mind, however, that joint replacement surgery will not enable you to do more than you could before you developed arthritis. Your surgeon will be your best guide as to what progress you can expect, based on your specific circumstances.

How long does an artificial joint last?
It's impossible to predict how long a new joint will last, since factors such as age, weight, activity level and bone strength determine the final outcome. If your new joint loosens over time, it may be necessary to repeat the surgery. It's likely that your new joint will bring you years of pain-free activity. With the new materials and components, most people have a 90 percent or greater success rate at 20 years after surgery.

How can I learn more about Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital's Joint Replacement Center?
You can learn more about our Joint Replacement Center by watching our patients testimonials:
Watch Clem Albertoni's Testimonial
Watch Gene Galster's Testimonial
Watch Bonnie Ish's Testimonial
Watch Dennis Lincoln's Testimonial