Welcome to your portal to learning more about your total joint replacement!  Here you will be able to get all the information you need on your total joint.  From the moment you meet us to the follow-ups after surgery, we will guide you through the process.  Designed with you in mind.  We help you get more information about your joint replacement.

For More Information on Outpatient Total Joints, Click Below!

What is Arthritis? 

Arthritis is a medical term that we tackle.  Arthros is the latin word for "joint" while any term with -itis at the end means inflammation.  Arthritis literally means an inflamed joint.  When the joints become inflamed, they hurt due to the release of multiple chemicals that cause pain.  Our goal is to stop this process from occuring.  We try conservative management in all patients with arthritis with the goal to reduce inflammation with anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS like Aleve, Motrin), physical therapy, weight loss and local injections before proceeding to surgery.  Conservative (non-surgical) treatment is nearly always our initial treatment for arthritis.

Severe arthritis of a knee

Am I A Candidate for a Total Joint Replacement

We strive to perform succesful surgeries on ideal candidates.  An upset patient with a total joint is an unhappy patient.  While problems can occur with joint replacement, they are very rare.  We strive to ensure proper pre-operative education.  Risk factors that can potentially increase risks of complications include diabetes, smoking history. alcohol abuse, chronic steroid use and patients with chronic pain.  Weight has also largely become a factor, with far safer and better results with patients with Body Mass Indexes (BMI) under 50.  We provide you a BMI calculator here for your convenience.

Supplied by BMI Calculator USA

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Quick Reference FAQ

Prior To Surgery

Preoperative Paper Work
You will come into the office to update your history and physical, medication list and discuss the procedure you are having.

Preoperative Testing
As part of your workup, you will be sent to the hospital to see the anesthesiologist.

Clearance Letters
If you have a cardiologist, we will require you to see them before surgery.  Try to see them before seeing us for your preoperative appointment

Phone Calls
You will receive phone calls  regarding in-home physical therapy, DVT (blood clot) pumps and cold compression.  Please pick up your phone!

Night Before Surgery
Do not eat anything after MIDNIGHT.  This will force us to possibly cancel surgery!!!
Take a chlorhexidine bath to kill bacteria and reduce infection risk in surgery

Day of Surgery

Day of Surgery Arrival at Hospital
You will arrive 2-3 hours prior to your surgery to register and check-in and change your clothes
Knee surgeries DO NOT require removal of underwear
Prior to surgery you will have an IV placed for anesthesia and to give you antibiotics to prevent infection during surgery

Hospital Stay
Usual stays are between 1-2 days.
Therapy will be started
Pain control will be assessed, IV narcotics will be switched to oral pain medications
Assess safety at home to see if a rehab may be necessary

Day of Discharge
You will be on a blood thinner and using the DVT leg pumps for 2-4 weeks after surgery.
Use the leg pumps whenever you are not walking to prevent blood clots
You will be given the same oral pain medication that relieved your pain in the hospital.

After Surgery

Early Follow-up
You will be sign by the doctor in the office within 1-2 weeks of your surgery
Staples are generally removed at 2 weeks
Pain medication will be prescribed and dosing will be lowered
No narcotic pain medication will be dispensed after 3 months of surgery

Late Follow-up
Yearly visits will be to check X-Rays of the knee
Call before any dental procedure for the first 2 years after surgery

Total Joint Replacement Video Education

What To Expect Before and After

Joint Solutions Center Video