Our joints are essential to movement. From our knees to the smallest bones in our ears, our joints keep us moving smoothly. However, as we age, so do our joints. If you experience joint pain that prevents you from doing routine activities, sports or hobbies, it may be time for a change. As dramatic as it sounds, completely replacing your aching joint could bring much-needed pain relief.

What is total joint replacement?
Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure. During the surgery, your doctor removes damaged cartilage and bone from the affected joint and replaces it with a metal, plastic or ceramic device. This device is called a prosthetic. It is designed to move just like a natural joint. “Typically, we will want you to try conservative, nonsurgical treatments before choosing surgery,” comments Riverside Orthopedic Specialist Mohammed Ahmed, MD. These can include weight loss, low-impact exercise, joint injections or medication. If you have tried some of these options and still have severe symptoms, your provider may suggest surgery. Some patients are excellent candidates for robotic surgery at Riverside. Mako SmartRobotics uses 3D CTbased planning software so your surgeon can know more about your specific anatomy to create a personalized joint replacement surgical plan. Mako’s AccuStop technology allows the surgeon to cut less by precisely cutting what’s planned to help protect healthy bone.

“It’s important to understand that the surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon who guides the robotic arm during the surgery to position the implant in the knee and hip joints,” mentions Riverside Orthopedic Specialist Jonathan Cotton, MD. “Mako SmartRobotics does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own or move without the surgeon’s guidance.”

Is it safe, and is it effective?
Hip and knee joint replacements are regular procedures. Each year in the U.S., about 790,000 knee replacements and more than 450,000 hip replacements are performed. You can expect your joint replacement to last for 20 years or more.

How long is recovery?
In most cases, patients can resume normal daily activities by six weeks after surgery, but this can vary. After the surgery, you will progress from using a walker to using a cane or nothing at all within a month or two.

Seek relief
If you are experiencing severe joint pain, see our specialists to determine if joint replacement surgery can help. Call Riverside Orthopedic and Spine Center at (877) 776-7973.