Hip and Knee Replacement
Orthopaedics
Related to: Orthopaedics, adult reconstruction
What is hip and knee replacement?
Hip and knee replacement surgeries replace damaged joints with artificial (prosthetic) implants. Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery if your hip or knee symptoms don’t improve with nonsurgical treatments. Joint replacement surgery (also called arthroplasty) can help you move better with less pain
When you come to UT Health San Antonio, you’re in the expert care of fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in hip and knee replacements. Our surgeons perform hundreds of hip and knee replacements, providing care for the most complex cases. We offer total joint care that helps you stay independent and protects your quality of life.
How do hip and knee joints work?
Your hips and knees have different , so they work a bit differently.
Your hip joints are ball-and-socket joints, which allow you to rotate and move your body forward, backward and sideways. The top of the thigh bone (femur) sits inside a socket inside the pelvic bone (acetabulum) to form the hip joint. Because these joints support your body weight, they’re more prone to like arthritis.
Your are hinge joints, which allow you to bend and straighten your legs. The lower part of the femur and upper part of the shinbone (tibia) meet at the kneecap to form the knee joint. Your knees are the largest joints in your body and, like your hips, are particularly vulnerable to .
Types of hip and knee replacement
The type of joint replacement procedure you need depends on the location and severity of your joint damage. Depending on the diagnosis, your provider may recommend:
- Partial joint replacement: Your surgeon replaces only the damaged parts of your hip or knee joint.
- Total joint replacement: Your surgeon replaces your entire hip or knee joint with prosthetic implants.
Hip replacement procedures
There are many types of hip replacement procedures, including:
- Minimally invasive direct anterior total hip replacementM: Direct takes place in the front (anterior side) of your hip. The uses a smaller incision — 3 to 6 inches long — and helps preserve muscle. The result is typically an easier, less painful recovery.
- MPosterior total hip replacementM: This surgery takes place through an incision in the back (posterior side) of your hip.
- MOther hip replacement proceduresM: In some instances, the surgeon enters through the side of the hip joint (lateral hip replacement) or uses a combination of surgical approaches.
Knee replacement procedures
We perform two main types of knee replacement procedures, often using robot-assisted technology.
- Partial knee replacement: Your surgeon replaces one part (unicompartmental knee replacement) or two parts (bicompartmental knee replacement) of the damaged joint. This approach preserves healthy bone, cartilage and ligaments, so you can keep more of your knee’s natural feel and function.
- Minimally invasive total knee replacement: Our surgeons specialize in . This surgery takes place through smaller incisions and may involve robot-assisted technology.
Why choose UT Health San Antonio for hip or knee replacement?
At UT Health San Antonio, you benefit from:
- Full range of joint care: Our care team always starts with nonsurgical treatments to ease joint pain, such as and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. We recommend joint replacement surgery only when other treatments aren’t an effective option.
- Less invasive procedures: Our surgeons are experts in muscle-sparing robotic and minimally invasive surgeries. Because these approaches minimize damage to skin, muscles and tissues, you may have less pain and an easier return to your activities.
- Advanced technology: We use computer-assisted navigation and artificial intelligence-enhanced technology to plan and perform our procedures. This technology helps us determine the best hip or knee implant size and positioning. That’s important for ensuring that your legs look the same and function how you need them to after surgery.
- Comprehensive surgical options: We expertly perform all types of hip and knee replacements, including revision surgeries for patients whose implants wear out. We’re also a regional referral center for patients who need revision surgery due to complications or poor results from joint procedures performed elsewhere.
- Implants made to last: When appropriate, we use 3D printing to create custom implants that more precisely fit your unique anatomy. We always use implants made from the most durable materials, so your new joint lasts for a long time.
- Presurgical care: Experts at our perioperative optimization clinic help you prepare for surgery and recovery. They get you in for presurgical tests and connect you with specialists who help you manage conditions that can affect the outcome of your surgery, like and .
- Dedicated physical therapy: Our physical therapists offer prehabilitation (prehab) and postsurgical rehabilitation services. You learn how to safely perform joint-friendly exercises that strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and ease your recovery.
What to expect before hip or knee replacement
You may get one or more of the following tests to determine whether joint replacement is right for you:
- Physical exam to assess your range of motion and symptom severity
- to look for signs of arthritis, fractures and other joint damage
- to get clear images of the joint and supporting cartilage
Preparing for hip or knee replacement
Before joint replacement surgery, you may:
- Get , and imaging tests
- Meet with a registered dietitian who can help you make dietary changes that lead to a healthy weight, which puts less stress on your joints
- Stop taking certain medications and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery
- Talk to your provider about ways to quit tobacco products, which can affect postsurgical healing
What to expect after hip or knee replacement
Depending on the complexity of your surgery and your overall health, you may go home the same day or stay in the hospital. We get you up and walking soon after surgery. Our care team will show you how to safely move around, including getting in and out of a chair or bed.
After surgery, you’ll likely need to:
- Avoid driving, lifting heavy objects and engaging in physical activities until your doctor gives the OK
- Continue with physical therapy
- Follow your care team’s instructions to properly care for the incision
- Take antibiotics to prevent infection as well as pain relievers, as prescribed
- Use a cane or walker for stability
Benefits of hip and knee replacement
Most people have significant improvement in their symptoms and better mobility within four to six months after surgery. Full recovery can take up to a year.
Hip and knee replacement can:
- Ease joint pain, stiffness and swelling
- Get you back to being physically active
- Improve mobility and function so you can be more independent
Risks of hip and knee replacement
We take great care to prevent complications, but all surgeries pose some risks. Risks of joint replacement include:
- Blood clots or bleeding
- Fractures
- Implant dislocation or allergic reaction
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Reaction to anesthesia