Joint Replacement Surgery

Arthroplasty or joint replacement, a surgical procedure to remove and replace an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis), may be considered only after other treatment options have failed to provide adequate relief from pain and/or disability.

In the U.S. alone, more than 435,000 joint replacement procedures are performed each year—most often involving the hip and knee. Total joint replacement of the ankle, elbow, shoulder and fingers are performed less often.

Advances in Joint Replacement
With recent advancements to the procedure itself and the prostheses being used, more and more patients are finding relief from their debilitating pain. Minimally-invasive procedures and better, more durable prosthetics have made joint replacement surgery an option for more people.

Services We Offer

Hip Replacement

For some people, activities such as walking, sitting, or even resting can become so painful that hip replacement becomes necessary. The decision to replace the painful hip with an artificial one is a decision made by the patient and physician.

The most common condition that results in the need for hip replacement surgery is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative, joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults, causes the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the hips. Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation of the synovial membrane and results in excessive synovial fluid, can lead to pain and stiffness. Traumatic arthritis, arthritis due to injury, can cause damage to the articular cartilage of the hip.

Knee Replacement

When a knee is so severely damaged by disease or injury, an artificial knee replacement may be considered. Approximately 267,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed annually in the U.S. The most common age for knee replacement is between ages 60 to 80 years old.

Minimally-invasive joint replacement

Rapid Recovery Joint Program

The Rapid Recovery Joint Program is an intensive rehabilitation program aimed at getting joint replacement patients back on their feet, often in three days or less.

Our Specialists

Kirby Hitt, M.D.

Dr. Hitt, the director of the Division of Adult Reconstructive Surgery, received his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Science Center in Lubbock. He received fellowship training in Joint Replacement and Adult Reconstructive Surgery from the Cleveland Clinic and serves as an assistant professor of surgery at the Texas A&M& Health Science Center College of Medicine.

More on Dr. Hitt »
Kirby Hitt: Doctor and Designer »

Scott M. Munroe, M.D.

Dr. Munroe received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He specializes in orthopedic conditions of the foot and ankle and received fellowship training from the Institute of Bone & Joint Disorders in Phoenix. Dr. Munroe serves on the faculty of the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine.

More on Dr. Munroe »

Patient Resources

Pre- and Post-Operation Instructions
About Joints web site

Back to Top