Your joints are strong but also vulnerable to injury and wear-and-tear. If you need a joint replacement, whether it’s your knee, hip, or shoulder, contact the board-certified orthopaedic surgeons at LA Orthopaedic Specialists in Downtown Los Angeles, California. The doctors use state-of-the-art surgical techniques and equipment to perform joint replacement surgeries. Call LA Orthopaedic Specialists or schedule a consultation online if you need a joint replacement.

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What are the signs I need a joint replacement?

Pain is one of the key indicators of a joint problem, but when does that mean that you need a joint replacement? LA Orthopaedic Specialists doctors have extensive experience in treating and replacing joints. 

While they often begin with noninvasive treatments, they recommend joint replacement when:

  • You can’t complete daily tasks
  • Your pain keeps you awake at night
  • Your pain limits your mobility
  • Other treatments haven’t relieved your pain
  • Your osteoarthritis is advanced and likely to get worse
  • Medications and other therapies cause intolerable side effects

LA Orthopaedic Specialists performs hundreds of joint replacements every year, including knees, hips, shoulders, and ankles. If you need joint surgery, you can count on expert care before, during, and after your surgery.

What happens during a joint replacement surgery?

Joint replacement varies based on the joint requiring treatment and your specific condition. In general, while you’re under general anesthesia, your surgeon makes incisions in your body to access your joint. They carefully remove the damaged tissue and smooth the edges of your bones. 

Then, your surgeon fits prosthetic joint parts onto your bones. Your prosthetic could be metal, medical-grade plastic, or a combination of materials. When they secure the new joint components in place, your surgeon closes and bandages your incisions.

The surgeons at LA Orthopaedic Specialists are skilled in a variety of approaches, including arthroscopy, and use state-of-the-art surgical technology to provide the best possible outcomes. 

What should I expect while recovering from a joint replacement surgery?

In many cases, you need to spend a couple of days in the hospital recovering after joint replacement surgery. 

Your doctor prescribes medication to prevent infection and to manage your pain. You can usually get up and move around with assistive devices within the first 24-48 hours. 

You also start physical therapy almost immediately. In the first few weeks of physical therapy, you focus on protecting and maintaining your muscle tone and the flexibility of your muscles and connective tissue. 

As you progress, your physical therapy also increases to help you rebuild your strength and range of motion and eventually return to your regular activities. Full recovery can take 6-12 months, depending on your specific situation.

LA Orthopaedic Specialists provides customized advice and can answer any questions you have during your pre-surgical consultation. 

If you’re looking for an orthopaedic surgeon for joint replacement, call LA Orthopaedic Specialists or make an appointment online today.