Joint Resurfacing

A joint is where two or more bones come together. Examples include the knee, hip and shoulder. (Read about "The Knee" "The Hip" "The Shoulder") Joints can be damaged by arthritis (Read about "Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases") and other diseases, injuries or other causes. Arthritis or simply years of use may cause the joint to wear away. This can cause pain, stiffness and swelling. Bones are alive, and need blood to be healthy, grow and repair themselves. Diseases and damage inside a joint can limit blood flow, causing problems.

Replacing a joint (Read about "Joint Replacement") can help you relieve pain and move and feel better. Joints that can be replaced include the shoulders, fingers, ankles and elbows. Hips and knees are replaced most often, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Joint resurfacing, which is also referred to as partial joint replacement can be an alternative to total joint replacement. Joint resurfacing is sometimes recommended to younger, more active people who are suffering from joint pain caused by arthritis or injury. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says that the implants from both resurfacings and replacements can and do wear out and/or loosen over time, usually between 10 and 20 years. Resurfacing leaves more of the original bone so when and if a new procedure is required there will be more original bone available.

Both total joint replacement and joint resurfacing surgery is usually done by a doctor called an orthopedic or orthopaedic surgeon.

There are a number of joints that are candidates for resurfacing. The hip and the knee are the most common joints involved in the procedure. The shoulder and the metatarsal joints at the base of your toes are also candidates for joint resurfacing.

The Hip

With hip joint resurfacing, the surface of the top part of the femur (that's your thigh bone) is replaced and the surface of the acetabulum (the socket of the hip) is also replaced. The amount of the head of the femur that is affected is dependant on the amount of damage to the head of femur. If only the head of the femur is covered, the procedure is deemed a partial hip resurfacing. AAOS says that hip resurfacing requires a larger incision than a total hip replacement.

The Knee

There are three places in the knee where damage can occur. The femur ends with two rounded protuberances that are called condyles. They can be damaged. Another area of potential damage is under the kneecap. If the damage to the knee is confined to just one of these areas, then a partial replacement may be the solution. Recovery can be quicker than with a full replacement procedure.

The Shoulder

Resurfacing of the shoulder joint involves the glenohumeral. This is the ball and socket joint most of us call the shoulder joint. This surgery involves fitting an implant onto the top of the humerus, which is your upper arm bone.

Concerns

Each surgery is different. How long it takes depends on how badly the joint is damaged and how the surgery is done. Your general health before the surgery will have an impact on the success of the surgery and how long it takes you to recover. It is also important that you follow your rehabilitation program after the surgery.

Any surgery has risks. Risks of joint surgery will depend on your health before surgery, how severe the damage to your joint is and the type of surgery done. Other risks are much the same as the ones with total joint replacement and include the loosening or dislocation of the implant, blood clots and infections.