Joint Reconstruction and Replacement Surgery

Injuries or conditions that may require surgery to reconstruct or replace damaged joints in the hips, knees, ankles, elbow or shoulders may include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, in which one of the main ligaments that helps stabilize and support the knee is partially or completely torn
• Cartilage tears (also known as meniscus tears), in which the soft tissue between the joints is injured, causing pain
• Fractures of the bone, which can lead to joint degeneration several years after the injury
• Hip pain, which is the result of cartilage that has worn away, making the bones in the joint rub together and cause bone damage
• Hip impingement, which is an abnormal wearing of the hip ball-and-socket that causes a bony "bump" to form along the end of the hip, resulting in friction that can damage the joint and limit activity 
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, in which the ligament located along the inner knee is completely torn
• Osteoarthritis, which is usually associated with aging joints’ “wear and tear” and is most commonly seen in patients age 50 or older
• Osteonecrosis (also known as avascular necrosis), which can be due to a dislocation or fracture injury that limits blood supply to the head of the femur (thigh bone), potentially causing severe degeneration that leads to arthritis and chronic joint pain
• Patellofemoral syndrome, in which cartilage under the kneecap may be deteriorating, or the kneecap is no longer moving properly
• Post-traumatic arthritis, which is a type of arthritis that can be due to a traumatic hip injury or fracture that damaged cartilage
• Rheumatoid arthritis, in which the synovial membrane is inflamed and thickens, leading to potential cartilage damage, joint pain and stiffness
• Rotator cuff injuries, in which the group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint are partially or completely torn
• Ulnar collateral ligament injuries, in which the ligament inside the elbow connecting the upper arm (humerus) with the forearm (ulna) is partially or completely torn

Scripps offers more than 100 orthopedic doctors to provide comprehensive exams and diagnose causes of joint pain. Scripps has advanced imaging technologies and facilities to give our orthopedists the most accurate information to treat orthopedic injuries and conditions. Scripps also offers convenience for patients needing X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and other imaging technologies at various locations throughout San Diego County, from Vista to Chula Vista.

Treatment options for the reconstruction and replacement of the hip joint may include:

• Hip arthroscopy — is a minimally invasive type of hip replacement surgery that corrects the bony abnormality causing impingement in the hip. Damaged soft tissues around the joint also may be repaired or reconstructed.
• Total hip replacement surgery (also called hip arthroplasty) — a procedure where the head of the femur (thigh bone) is removed and replaced with a metal stem and a metal or ceramic ball, while the worn hip socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket
• Minimally invasive hip replacement — a procedure where a smaller surgical incision is made than during a traditional total hip replacement surgery
• Hip resurfacing — a procedure where the head of the femur is trimmed and capped with a smooth metal covering, while the hip socket is removed and replaced with a metal socket

Learn more about hip replacement surgery.

Treatment options for the reconstruction and replacement of the knee joint may include:

• Total knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty) — a procedure where the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) at the knee joint are removed and replaced with metal and strong plastic parts
• Partial knee replacement — when damaged tissue and bone in the inner knee or the outer knee are replaced with a metal and plastic part
• ACL reconstruction — a procedure where a torn anterior cruciate ligament is rebuilt using tissue, most commonly the kneecap tendon or hamstring tendon, from a donor or the patient’s body
• MCL reconstruction — when a torn medial collateral ligament that has not healed and restored stability to the inner knee is rebuilt using tissue from a donor or the patient’s body
• Osteochondral allograft transplantation — a procedure where cartilage from a donor is implanted to help restore stability in a patient’s knee, ankle or shoulder

Learn more about knee replacement surgery.

Treatment options for the reconstruction and replacement of the shoulder joint may include:

• Total shoulder replacement surgery (shoulder arthroplasty) — a procedure where the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) is removed and replaced with a metal stem and ball, and the shoulder blade socket (glenoid) is smoothed and replaced with a strong plastic socket
• Partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) — when only the head of the upper arm bone, or the shoulder blade socket is replaced
• Reverse total shoulder replacement — similar to a total shoulder replacement, but the end of the upper arm bone is replaced by a metal stem and plastic socket, and the shoulder black socket, is fitted with a metal ball
• Shoulder resurfacing — a procedure where the head of the upper arm bone is trimmed and capped with a smooth metal covering, and the shoulder blade socket may be smoothed and replaced with a strong plastic socket or tissue graft
• Osteochondral allograft transplantation — a procedure where cartilage from a donor is implanted to help restore stability in a patient’s knee, ankle or shoulder

Learn more about shoulder replacement surgery.

Treatment options for the reconstruction and replacement of the elbow, wrist and hand may include:

• UCL reconstruction — a procedure where a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow is rebuilt using tendon tissue from a donor or patient’s body
• Total elbow replacement (elbow arthroplasty) — a procedure where an artificial elbow joint is inserted in the upper arm bone and lower arm bone (ulna)

Learn more about elbow, wrist and hand surgery.

Treatment options for the reconstruction and replacement of the ankle joint may include:

• Ankle replacement surgery (ankle arthroplasty) — a procedure where damaged bone and cartilage are replaced with metal and plastic parts
• Osteochondral allograft transplantation — a procedure where cartilage from a donor is implanted to help restore stability in a patient’s knee, ankle or shoulder

Learn more about foot and ankle surgery.

Scripps offers sports therapy and physical therapy in San Diego with facilities in North County, South Bay, Central San Diego and La Jolla. Sports and physical therapy services are provided at more than half a dozen locations by a team of experts using the latest techniques and technologies to help patients regain strength and mobility to get back in the game.