Whether you’re on the dance floor or the golf course, at work, or the beach, or just gardening or sprucing up the house, joint pain can interfere with your life. The pain can be enough to render many physical activities almost impossible.
Fortunately, many patients qualify for joint resurfacing to fix their joint problems as opposed to a total joint replacement. But what exactly is joint resurfacing? Let’s talk about what this revolutionary surgical procedure is and where you can go to find relief from your debilitating joint pain.
How Joint Resurfacing Works
In joint resurfacing, your surgeon will essentially shave off a small portion of the joint bones and then cap them – resurface them – with a metal covering. If you have bone damage from arthritis, your surgeon will remove the damaged portion.
With this surgery, less of the bone tissue is removed than it is in a full joint replacement. In a ball-and-socket joint, the entire ball is removed and replaced in total joint replacement surgery, whereas it is only partially removed and partially replaced in resurfacing.
Patient Qualifications for This Surgery
Typically, joint resurfacing is recommended for people who are older than 50 years of age and who do not require an entire joint replacement. In some cases, a surgeon may recommend this procedure if you’ve had cartilage repair in the past that wasn’t successful in alleviating your pain or disability in that joint.
If you’re an active person, this procedure is generally preferred as compared to having a full joint replacement.
What to Expect from Joint Resurfacing Surgery
Before your surgery, you’ll be given general anesthesia. The entire operation should take between two to three hours to remove the damaged bone tissues, trim them, and cap them with the prosthetic materials.
Once the procedure is complete, your surgeon will staple the incision site. Depending on what your doctor determines insofar as your progress and recovery, you may stay in the hospital for a few days so that your medical team can monitor you.
Benefits of Bone Resurfacing
This procedure preserves as much of your natural bone as possible. It decreases your risk of inaccurate bone length or dislocation, which can happen from a total joint replacement.
It also takes less time to recover from joint resurfacing as compared to a total hip replacement or other total joint replacement surgery. After you’ve recovered fully, you’ll be able to return to most or all of your previous physical activities, which isn’t usually possible with a complete joint replacement.
Orthopedic Surgeons in Naples, Florida
If you have chronic or debilitating pain in your knee, shoulder, or hip, it is in your best interest to schedule a consultation with a skilled orthopedic surgeon who can explain all of your options to you. Orthopedic surgeons consider all potential treatment methods that would work for you, such as physical therapy and pain-relief injections.
All of our surgeons have years of experience and will work with you to find the ideal solution for your needs and lifestyle.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedists, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (239) 261-2663 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get back to the lifestyle you enjoy!
