Total Joint Replacement
If you are avoiding once-simple activities due to arthritis or injury, BJC HealthCare’s nationally recognized experts in total joint replacement have the technology and training to get you back to enjoying life pain-free.
Why choose us for total joint replacement?
BJC HealthCare works with WashU Medicine physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. You deserve the best doctors, latest treatments, and highest quality of care. This is precisely what you’ll find at BJC. Highlights of our program include:
- Advanced techniques: From robotic surgical technologies to approaches that minimize blood loss during operation, we strive to constantly advance our leading-edge care.
- Extraordinary expertise: Our team of world-class surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and therapists share decades of experience in hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle replacements.
- Focus on comfort: Our experts use techniques that are gentler on your body and lower the risk of complications. Examples include avoiding disruption to nearby muscles when possible and using non-narcotic numbing medications during surgery.
- National recognition: We rank among the nation’s top joint replacement programs for hip and knee, according to U.S. News & World Report. Our program also maintains The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.
- Personalized care: Our experts tailor surgery to the individual, adjusting each procedure for your individual anatomy and diagnosis.
What is joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement surgery removes and replaces an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis). It may be considered only after other treatment choices have failed to ease pain or improve function.
Getting ready for joint replacement surgery
As with any surgery, you'll need to keep some things in mind, including:
Exercise. Your body tends to heal and regain function faster when it is in good physical and cardiovascular condition.
Medicine. Before the surgery, tell your doctor all the medicines you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines. It also includes vitamins, minerals, and supplements. You may need to stop taking some medicines for a short time until after the surgery. Your primary doctor and your orthopedist will let you know if you need to do this.
Discharge planning. Before your surgery, talk about discharge planning with your doctor. Your discharge plan may include instructions on incision care, pain medicines, activities, special exercises, and other home care instructions.
Rehabilitation. People who have a total joint replacement can still lead a functional, active lifestyle. One major part of many rehab programs is exercise. This helps to restore function, mobility, and strength to the affected joint and surrounding muscles. Talk to your doctor about what your rehab program should include.
Talk with your doctor to find out any special instructions they have for you.
Possible complications linked to joint replacement surgery
Although joint replacement surgery is typically successful, complications may still occur. They include:
Wound infection.
Infection around the prosthesis.
Blood clots.
Malfunction of the prosthesis. This may be caused by wear and tear, breakage, dislocation, or loosening.
Nerve injury. In rare cases, nerves in the surrounding area may be damaged during the surgery.