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JOINT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
- expert services for Boston and beyond
Total
Joint Replacement is a great option for many patients who have severe
pain caused by arthritis or injury. During this procedure, CHA surgeons
implant a synthetic joint in place of a worn-out joint. The most
common surgeries are knee and hip replacements.
CHA uses a nationally-recognized
clinical pathway to ensure that each patient gets the best possible
care. Every one of our patients meets with our "joint coach,"
a registered nurse who helps you with pre-surgery testing and screenings,
and helps plan your recovery.
We are proud
of our safety record, and we have some of the lowest infection and
complication rates in the region.
Want to learn
more about Total Joint Replacement? Please see more details below:
What is Total
Joint Replacement?
Total Joint Replacement is a surgical procedure where an arthritic
or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint.
Joints are places where two or more bones connect together. Here,
the bones have a smooth covering called cartilage that allows your
joints to move easily.
Common joints
that are replaced are the Hip and Knee.
Why have
Total Joint Replacement?
When cartilage in the joint is damaged or weakened by arthritis
or fractures, joints may become stiff and painful. When this happens,
the pain may become so severe that patients will avoid using the
joint or "favor" it. This weakens the muscle surrounding
the joint, making movement more difficult.
A Total Joint
Replacement may be considered if non-surgical treatment options
do not relieve pain.
Who qualifies
for Total Joint Replacement?
Our Orthopaedic surgeons will perform a physical examination, diagnostic
tests, and X-rays to determine the needs of each patient. Total
Joint Replacement may be considered if other non-surgical treatment
options don't relieve pain.
Joint Replacement
is often the best option for patients who:
- Don't respond
to medication or physical therapy treatment
- Have trouble
using walking aids
- Have chronic
pain that limits daily activities, continues while resting and
interferes with function
- Cannot walk
more than two blocks
- REMEMBER!
Speaking with your Primary Care Doctor about your pain can be
the first step to pain-free movement.
Life after
a Total Joint Replacement.
Most people who have a joint replacement will experience a dramatic
reduction in joint pain and regain the ability to enjoy daily activities
of work and play.
There are a
few rules that will help increase the life of the new joint. People
who have had a joint replacement should NOT:
- Participate
in activities that may cause pain
- Jar the joint
in activities like running or jumping
- Put the joint
in extreme range of motion
- Gain significant
weight - this will put more strain on the joint
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