Frequently Asked Questions

Total Knee Replacements
Total Hip Replacements
Knee Arthroscopy
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Rotator Cuff Repairs

Total Knee Replacement

Total Knee Replacement Yardley Arthritis and certain knee injuries and diseases can damage the cartilage that normally cushions the knee joint, leading to pain and stiffness. A knee replacement may be recommended when more conservative treatments -- such as anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections -- fail to relieve pain or improve movement.

During a total knee replacement, the entire joint is replaced with an artificial prosthesis. The surgery itself lasts between one-and-a-half and three hours. After the procedure, patients usually experience immediate relief from joint pain. Physical therapy starts right away to speed healing and to ensure that the patient enjoys full use of the joint. Knee replacements today last about 20 years in 85-90% of patients.

Total Hip Replacement

Hip Replacement Surgery Yardley The hip is a "ball-and-socket" joint where the "ball" at the top of the thigh bone (femur) fits inside the "socket" in the pelvis (acetabulum). A natural substance in the body called cartilage lubricates the joint. When the bone and/or cartilage of the hip becomes diseased or damaged from arthritis, hip fractures, bone death or other causes, the joint can stiffen and be very painful. A total hip replacement may be recommended for patients who experience severe, chronic hip pain and can't do what they want or need to do in daily life.

In a total hip replacement, the diseased bone and cartilage are replaced with an artificial joint called a prosthesis. The surgery takes from two to four hours. Patients usually enjoy immediate relief from joint pain after the surgery.

Knee Arthroscopy

Knee Arthroscopy Yardley Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to examine tissues inside the knee. It is often performed to confirm a diagnosis made after a physical examination and other imaging tests such as MRI, CT or X-rays.

During an arthroscopic procedure, a thin fiberoptic light, magnifying lens and tiny television camera are inserted into the knee, allowing your doctor to examine the joint in great detail.

For some patients, it is then possible to treat the problem using a few additional instruments inserted through small incisions around the joint. Sports injuries are often repairable with arthroscopy. Knee injuries that are frequently treated using arthroscopic techniques include meniscal tears, mild arthritis, loose bone or cartilage, ACL and PCL tears, synovitis (swelling of the joint lining) and patellar (knee cap) misalignment.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves several small incisions into which a fiber-optic device (arthroscope) and tiny surgical instruments are inserted. Orthopedic surgeons can diagnose and treat many different shoulder conditions with arthroscopy, while patients can benefit from less tissue damage, shorter recovery times, less scarring and less post-operative pain. This technique also avoids cutting any muscles or tendons in order to gain access to the affected area.

Shoulder arthroscopy is often performed to confirm a diagnosis after a physical examination and other imaging procedures have been performed. Some conditions can also be treated during the same procedure by inserting a few additional instruments into the joint area.

Rotator Cuff Repair

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that support the shoulder joint and allow for complete movement while keeping the ball of the arm bone in the shoulder socket. These tendons and muscles may become torn or otherwise damaged from injury or overuse and can lead to pain, weakness and inflammation. Surgery may be used to treat this often serious condition.

Rotator cuff repair is performed under general anesthesia and aims to reattach the tendon back to the arm, along with removing any loose fragments from the shoulder area. Most rotator cuff procedures can now be performed through arthroscopy, which uses a few tiny incisions rather than one large incision. This technique offers patients minimal trauma, less scarring and less damage to surrounding tissue.

Rotator cuff repair surgery is usually successful in relieving shoulder pain, although full strength cannot always be restored. Patients must undergo physical therapy after surgery, and it may take months for the shoulder to fully heal. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is considered much safer than the traditional procedure, although risks such as infection, pain or stiffness, nerve damage or the need for repeated surgery do still exist. These risks are considered rare, as most people achieve successful outcomes from this procedure.