When two or more bones come together they form a joint. The bone ends of healthy joints have a smooth layer of cartilage, which helps the bones to move without friction.
If disease or injury damages the cartilage or the bone, the joints become swollen, stiff, and painful. Total joint replacement removes the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one.
Orthopedic surgeons perform more than 780,000 total joint replacement surgeries every year. Replacing these joints with an artificial one, or prosthesis, offers many patients significant improvement in their quality of life.
The most frequent reason for joint replacement is to relieve the pain and disability that comes with arthritis and to return to functional activity. Most joint replacements involve hip and knee joints, but doctors can also perform them on ankles, shoulders, and elbows.
Treating You
Surgeons at John Muir Health take a personal approach to your care. Our surgeons treat patients with joint replacement surgeries using state-of-the-art joint implants, minimally invasive techniques, and surgical navigation systems whenever possible to reduce discomfort and speed up recovery.
Our Services
- Doctors trained in the latest treatments to replace your damaged joint as quickly and painlessly as possible
- Experienced, board-certified surgeons recognized nationally for their expertise and focused on providing you with the best possible care
- Compassionate nurses with training in orthopedics — many who are orthopedic nurse certified — to help provide the individualized care, education, and support you need when you have a musculoskeletal condition or injury
- Continuous care, from diagnosis and treatment through recovery and rehabilitation, in a comfortable, dedicated orthopedic unit
- Case managers to help you navigate your treatment and recovery
- Educational classes on joint replacement