Joint Surgery

As the active population of baby-boomers continues to age, there will also be an increase in joint surgery on the numerous problems that can occur in all joints. Not only will arthroscopic surgery of these injured joints be performed, but many who develop arthritis will require joint replacement surgery.

Knee joint replacement surgery which is called Total Knee Arthroplasty is currently the most common joint replacement surgery. The second most common joint replacement surgery is hip joint replacement surgery called Total Hip Arthroplasty.   The third most common joint replacement surgery is Shoulder Arthroplasty. Other less common joint replacement surgeries are performed on the elbow, wrist and ankle. Joint replacement can even be performed on the small bones of the wrist, thumb, hand and foot.

Although many joint injuries can be treated with non surgical treatment, when surgery is needed, the most common procedure currently is arthroscopy. Joint surgery performed by arthroscopy involves very small incisions used to allow small instruments to be placed into the damaged joint to treat a variety of joint problems. These problems include a meniscus tear, ligament tear and mild arthritis in the knee joint. In the shoulder joint a dislocation, labrum tear, and rotator cuff tear are usually treated with arthroscopy.

A Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon is the most qualified physician to determine if joint surgery is needed to correct a problem joint. The Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) is an organization of qualified orthopedic surgeons who perform and share advancements in joint surgery using arthroscopy and other methods to improve patient outcomes. Members of the AANA in your area can be located on the AANA website.