Joint replacement surgery at Newport Hospital for joint care

Aches and pains affect everyone.

Those related to the musculoskeletal system (the bones, muscles and joints that allow us to stand and move) account for about 80% of patient complaints in primary care. Of those, arthritis is the most common, progressive, and unrelenting. Arthritis is a disease of cartilage, which is responsible for the structure and lining of our joints, providing shock absorption and cushioning, as well as smooth motion. There are several factors that contribute to the wear and tear of cartilage, including aging, obesity, trauma, hydration, inflammation and genetics. Once cartilage has worn away, patients often find themselves in an orthopedic office discussing the possibility of a total joint arthroplasty, also known as total joint replacement.

What is joint replacement surgery?

Total joint replacement is one of the most cost-effective and successful surgeries in medicine. The surgery is performed on hips, knees, shoulders, and even ankles, fingers, elbows, or intervertebral discs. During a total knee replacement, the surgeon removes the worn-off cartilage, and resurfaces the joints with a metal alloy implant. This implant gives the patient the smooth movement they once experienced and allows them to return to weight-bearing daily activities. Total hip or total shoulder replacement is a more complex procedure as the hip and shoulder are “ball and socket” joints. During replacement surgery, what is known as an articulating ball is replaced, and implants are inserted into the central canal of the bones.