Be More Active With Total Joint Replacement in Arizona
A total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which a damaged joint is replaced with an artificial implant. A new, artificial joint will allow you to enjoy a full range of motion without pain or discomfort. Total joint replacement can be a life-changing surgery, allowing you to enjoy a more active lifestyle. Joint replacement can treat joint problems in the hips, knees, shoulders, wrists, ankles, fingers, or toes.
At Dignity Health, skilled orthopedic surgeons perform total joint replacement in Arizona, utilizing the latest surgical tools and technology for better patient outcomes. Both Chandler Regional Medical Hospital and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center have earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for hip and knee joint replacement.
To request an appointment or sign up for one of our joint replacement education classes, Find a Doctor today at Dignity Health.
Am I Eligible for Total Joint Replacement?
Your doctor may recommend total joint replacement as a way to treat severe joint damage caused by injury, infection, arthritis, or other conditions.
Reasons for total joint replacement include:
- Noninvasive treatment methods have not worked, including steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, and less invasive types of surgery.
- Chronic joint pain and stiffness is limiting normal movement and daily functions.
- There is a deformity in the joint.
- An X-ray has shown the presence of severe joint damage, along with loss of cartilage and bone.
- You have joint pain even while resting.
- A joint injury has not fully healed.
If you are interested in learning about the risks and benefits of joint replacement, talk with a doctor at Dignity Health. We offer minimally invasive surgery options, typically resulting in less pain, less scarring, and faster recoveries.
What to Expect at Dignity Health
A total joint replacement is a major surgery performed by a highly trained, experienced orthopedic surgeon at a Dignity Health hospital. You will be given general anesthesia — meaning you will not be awake or feel any pain during the surgery.
If your procedure is minimally invasive, the surgeon will make several small incisions to access the joint. If it is open surgery, a larger incision will be made to remove damaged bone and cartilage and position the artificial joint.
Recovery After Total Joint Replacement
After surgery, you may spend several days in the hospital, as well as a rehabilitation center, to ensure your recovery is going smoothly. A physical therapist will teach you special exercises for strengthening the muscles around your new joint. Physical therapy is a crucial part of the recovery process, helping restore range of motion and normal joint function. A full recovery can take up to a year, depending on your age and overall health.
The majority of artificial joints still function well 15 years after surgery, allowing people the ability to enjoy a more active lifestyle.
Experienced surgeons at Dignity Health perform total joint replacement in Arizona, helping people get their momentum back, with less pain.