Patient Information

What is Total Joint Replacement?

The prosthesis comprises several parts that are made of a metal alloy or ceramic (to replace diseased bone) and of high-density plastic (to replace diseased cartilage). In a knee replacement, for example, one part is attached to the end of the femur where diseased bone has been removed, and another is anchored to the shinbone. The replacement may also include another small component—a circular piece of plastic that is designed to replace cartilage or diseased bone. Cement may or may not be used to hold the prosthesis in place.

Common Causes of Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis (OA)—sometimes called degenerative arthritis because it is a “wearing out” condition involving the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the knee. When the cartilage wears away, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness. OA usually occurs in people aged 50 years and older with a family history of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)—a disease that causes the synovium to become thickened and inflamed. In turn, too much synovial fluid is produced within the joint space, which causes a chronic inflammation that damages the cartilage. This eventually results in cartilage loss, pain, and stiffness.

Post-traumatic Arthritis—can develop after a serious joint injury. A joint fracture or severe ligament tear may lead to degeneration of the articular cartilage, causing excess wear and pain, and reduced function in the joint over time.

Joint pain can also be caused by deformity or direct injury. In some cases, the pain is made worse by the fact that a person will favor the painful joint, weakening the muscles and making the joint even more difficult to move.

Based on an orthopaedic evaluation of your condition—including a thorough medical history, physical exam, x-rays, and other tests—Dr. Brooker will diagnose the cause of your pain, determine the extent of damage or deformity, and recommend a course of treatment.