Joint Replacement

If a knee or hip is so badly damaged by injury or disease that it can’t be repaired, it can sometimes be replaced with an artificial joint, usually made of metal and plastic. The most common reason for joint replacement surgery is damage from arthritis to the extent that it causes severe pain or loss of function. More than 90 percent of joint replacements involve the knees or hips, even though most joints in the body can be replaced.

The joint replacement program at FirstHealth began more than 25 years ago and now has one of the highest success rates in the country. FirstHealth orthopaedic surgeons perform both full and partial joint replacements.

Joint replacement surgery can restore pain-free mobility to people whose own joints have worn out. The goal of every knee and hip replacement is to enable the patient to resume walking normally without pain. Most people who have joint replacements are able to enjoy low-impact recreational activities such as golf, swimming and hiking.