Procedures :: Carolina Center Joint Preservation & Replacement
At Carolina Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement we use both Surgical and Non Surgical methods to help you feel your best in no time!
Surgical Methods
In many instances, orthopedic issues require surgical procedures. In addition to traditional surgical procedures to repair joint damage, surgeons also now have procedures that are less invasive and require less recovery time. Arthroscopic surgery enables surgeons to access the joint through smaller incisions which enables patients to return to their normal lifestyles more rapidly in most cases than traditional surgical procedures. With the rapid advancements in medical procedures, it is imperative that surgeons remain current on new techniques that enable patients to obtain the best care with the least invasive procedure available. Physicians at Carolina Center for Joint Preservation constantly study the most current surgical procedures to be sure their patients receive the most up to date treatment available.
Non Surgical Methods
Not all joint issues require surgery. In many instances, successful treatment of joint issues involves non-surgical methods. Physical therapy can alleviate certain issues, especially when done under the directive of a physician. Certain other issues can be alleviated through office-based treatment such as injection therapy (such as corticosteroids), electric stimulation, and topical ointments. These conservative treatment modalities can alleviate pain and in many instances allow patients to avoid more invasive procedures.
Total Joint Replacement of the knee, hip and shoulder
This patient had hip pain for years before undergoing anterior total hip replacement. This video shows her walking just 2 weeks after surgery. She has essentially no pain and walks without a cane or walker. She has very little noticeable limp.
In some instances, a progressively worsening joint condition requires that the joint be replaced. With the remarkable medical advancements in this field, surgeons can now remove a damaged or diseased joint and replace it with a prosthetic joint. In most cases, joint replacement is needed due to severe osteoarthritis, fractures, necrosis or diseases. When chronic pain impairs daily function, total joint replacements becomes an option that can restore a patient's physical movements. A total joint replacement may be recommended when the pain impairs daily function and other treatments have not alleviated the pain. The physicians at Carolina Center for Joint Preservation can assess the severity of the joint condition and offer appropriate treatments, ensuring that patients have the best possible quality of life.
Partial Joint Replacement of the knee, hip and shoulder
Partial joint replacements remove only the most damaged areas of the joint and replace them. Less invasive than a total joint replacement, this unicompartmental process requires a smaller incision and involves a faster recovery than a full joint replacement. As with total joint replacements, this procedure occurs when other more conservative treatments have not alleviated the chronic pain in the joint. A partial joint replacement can be performed only when the joint damage is limited. The physicians at Carolina Center for Joint Preservation can assess the joint and determine the extent of the damage. With that determination, they can then make the best recommendation for the appropriate treatment.
Metal on Metal Hip Joint Resurfacing
Metal on metal hip joint resurfacing offers an alternative to total hip replacement surgery. Considered beneficial to younger patients requiring hip surgery, this treatment replaces only the joint surface, preserving the femoral canal. This procedure, which makes any additional revision surgery less complex, allows patients to return to their daily life functions earlier than total hip replacement. Making the determination of when a joint resurfacing should be performed requires a careful analysis of many factors. The physicians at Carolina Center for Joint Preservation can assess the joint damage and make that determination.
Arthroscopic Surgery and Joint Preservation of the Knee, Hip and Shoulder
Some joint problems can be alleviated through joint preservation procedures such as arthroscopic surgery. This type of surgery involves small incisions and allows patients to return to their normal life activities more quickly than more invasive procedures. Recovery can be rapid with returning patients back to normal activities within a few days to a few weeks in many cases. Often, a small video camera can be inserted into the incisions to allow the surgeon to visualize the joint issue and repair the damage. Many factors go into determining when this type of procedure will be effective. The physicians at Carolina Center for Joint Preservation can determine the extent of the joint damage and make the proper assessment as to treatment required, allowing patients to return to their active lifestyles as quickly as possible.
Cartilage Restoration and Transplantation Surgery
Articular cartilage, the tissue that covers joints, has no nerves or blood supply. Because of this, patients often don't recognize a cartilage problem, due to overuse or age, exists until the bone surface of the joint is exposed. Without a blood supply, cartilage cannot heal itself, and the bone surface can be very painful without the cartilage protection. Several techniques exist to restore or replace the cartilage tissue which allows patients to resume an active life without the constant pain. In some cases, arthroscopic surgery can improve blood supply in adjoining bone tissue which can be effective in repairing small cartilage damage. In other instances, transplantation of cartilage tissue from other sources, including the patient's own tissue or even cadaver tissue, can be successful The physicians at Carolina Center for Joint Preservation are experienced in these procedures and can assist the patient in determining the most effective treatment.
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Orthopedic Conditions
The physicians at Carolina Center for Joint Preservation treat a wide range of conditions that affect joints, bones and connective tissues.
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Procedures & Treatments
At Carolina Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement we use both Surgical and Non Surgical methods to help you feel your best in no time!
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Patient Education
We treat a large variety of orthopedic conditions. For more information on the condition that your are afflicted by please visit our section on patient education.
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