Total joint replacement—surgery to stop your pain

The Orthopaedic & Spine Institute at Saint Agnes Hospital is leading the way for total joint replacement surgery in Maryland. Whether it’s your hip, knee or shoulder that’s causing you pain—our top-notch team will help you get moving again, so you can get back to the activities you love.

How can total joint replacement benefit you?
You don’t have to live with chronic pain, or let arthritis hold you back. If joint pain is keeping you from enjoying day-to-day activities like walking, climbing stairs or limiting your ability to work—you may benefit from a total joint replacement at Saint Agnes.

What is a total joint replacement?
During a total joint replacement, your surgeon removes the damaged joint, like your hip, knee or shoulder joint, and replaces it with a new, artificial joint. This procedure requires skill and precision, so it’s essential to have an experienced team like the expert Physicians at Saint Agnes.

Why choose Saint Agnes for your surgery?
The Orthopaedic surgeons at the Orthopaedic Institute at Saint Agnes Hospital are some of the most experienced surgeons in the region. Patients from all over the world have sought our orthopaedic care. Our surgeons are constantly pursuing the latest methods to make joint replacement surgery as minimally invasive possible which cuts down on both post operative pain and time spent in recovery. We involve you in the process every step of the way, so you know exactly what to expect. Your experience begins with a pre-surgery class, where you’ll learn more about your upcoming procedure and have an opportunity to ask questions. After your surgery, our caring rehabilitation team guides you through the recovery process.

Our expert team consists of total joint replacement surgeons, doctors, nurses and physical and occupational therapists—all working for you. We specialize in hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgery.

Hip Replacement Surgery
This surgery involves replacing the damaged joints in your hip with an artificial ball, socket and stem. These mimic the natural movement of your hip—only without the arthritis pain. During hip replacement surgery, your doctor will replace the natural ball of your thighbone with a metal one, which attaches to a metal stem placed in your thighbone. The ball is replaced by a metal or ceramic ball that is solidly fixed to a stem inserted into the femur. The socket is replaced with a metal cup, which is fixed to the acetabulum, or socket. The implants are designed to create a new, smoothly functioning joint that prevents painful bone-on-bone contact. Though doctors generally need only about two hours to give patients a new hip, the surgery can result in years of active, pain-free living. You may be a candidate for Anterior Hip replacement surgery, a minimally invasive surgery which takes a little longer to perform but cuts down on pain and recovery time. Discuss this option with your physician.

Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery is really a cartilage replacement. The knee itself is not replaced, only the cartilage on the ends of the bones. Knee replacement implants include a metal alloy on the bottom of the thighbone and polyethylene (plastic) on the top of the tibia and underneath the kneecap. The implant is designed to create a new, smoothly functioning joint that prevents painful bone-on-bone contact. Your surgeon may elect to replace all or part of your knee, depending on your condition and the extent to which your knee is affected by arthritis.

A New Knee
If you opt for a new knee, your doctor will cut away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap, and then replace your old joint with an artificial one made of several parts. Generally, the surgery takes about two hours.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery
This surgery involves replacing the damaged joints in your shoulder with an artificial ball, socket and stem, so you have the freedom to move and bend your arm. An arthritic or injured shoulder greatly affects daily living by causing pain and limiting motion. When shoulder replacement surgery is necessary, the surgeon may perform either a total shoulder replacement or a hemi (partial) shoulder replacement. There are two main bones involved in shoulder motion: the humeral head (rounded portion at the top of the upper arm bone) and the glenoid (cuplike bone in front of the shoulder blade).

In a hemi (partial) shoulder joint replacement, the humeral head is replaced with a metal implant with the same rounded shape. The glenoid, in this case, is healthy and does not need to be replaced. If the glenoid is not healthy, then a total shoulder replacement is typically performed. In a total shoulder replacement, the surface of the glenoid is removed and a similarly shaped polyethylene component is inserted in its place. Another option may be a resurfacing component. This implant is designed to "cap" only the top of the humerus.


 

Important Information

All Joint replacement surgeries will require supervised rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Services team at Saint Agnes Hospital are experts at getting you back to a normal life as safely and quickly as possible. For more information on Rehabilitation services click here or call 410-368-2800

To speak with a physician regarding total joint replacement surgery, click here or call
1-866-690-9355.

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