• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

How Do Joint Replacements Work?

Aug 5, 2022
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Orthopedic surgeon Willard Moore, MD discusses the resurfacing process of joints during surgery. "In general, when we think about a joint replacement, resurfacing is probably a better term. We’re basically shaving off the ends of the bones to get rid of that worn out cartilage and putting a new artificial surface. Usually that’s either metal or polyethene, which is a fancy plastic. For a hip replacement, we’re replacing the socket which is part of the pelvis and the ball which is the top of the femur. It’s a new ball and socket joint to replace the one that was worn out.

On a knee side, we’re resurfacing the joint. We put a metal cap on the end of the thigh bone, we put a metal tray on the shin bone side and then we usually resurface the back of the kneecap as well. We shave the back of the kneecap and put a polyethene or plastic lining there. We resurface the whole knee so you can’t have arthritis anymore."

It’s hard to be optimistic about life when you’re in constant pain. Even the slightest bit of activity can put you on the sidelines when you have joint problems. Whether you want to get out and walk for your favorite cause or just want to be able to go about your daily activities without pain, the Ochsner Orthopedic team is here to help you make it happen. One of the best joint replacement programs in the nation is right in your own backyard.

    At Ochsner, you’ll be cared for by the most experienced teams of orthopedists, anesthesiologists, advanced practice providers, physical and occupational therapists and social workers in the region. We strive to offer our patients better experiences, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recoveries. Our ultimate goal is to help you be able to go about your everyday life with a smile on your face.

    Our team takes the time to listen to your concerns, and will help you choose the care approach that’s right for you. Treatment options include minimally invasive joint resurfacing, partial joint replacement and robotically assisted joint replacement surgery using the Mako system. Our team of surgeons is among the most qualified in the region performing minimally invasive robotically assisted MAKO surgeries. These procedures enable patients to have faster healing and less pain. Same-day total joint replacement surgeries are performed at Ochsner.

     Learn more about Dr. Moore, here. 

    If you're experiencing arthritis or pain in your joints, make an appointment to find out whether you need a joint replacement here.

    Tags
    joint replacement
    joint replacements
    joints

    You may also be interested in:

    Joint pain neck pain older man 1164677512
    Food & Fitness
    August 5, 2022

    4 Tips for Healthy Joints

    Follow these four simple tips to maintain healthy joints.
    By Manuel Vargas, MD
    Older woman stretching joints exercise fitness
    Food & Fitness
    August 5, 2022

    3 Tips to Manage Weather-Related Joint Pain

    Weather changes can cause headaches and joint pain. Here are four tips on how to manage aches and pain.
    By Jeremy Burnham, MD
    Thinkstockphotos 604365220
    Conditions & Treatment
    August 5, 2022

    Does Cracking Knuckles Cause Arthritis?

    When you “crack” your knuckles, you’re not actually cracking anything.
    By Kayleigh Binet, PA

    email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

    Ochsner Health

    Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

    Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

    Healthy living tips newsletters, delivered to your inbox.

    Sign Up

    Patients & Visitors

    • Billing & Financial Services
    • Insurance Information
    • International Patients
    • Request Medical Records
    • Share Your Story
    • Read Patient Stories

    Medical Professionals

    • Transfer a Patient
    • Refer a Patient

    Health Resources

    • To Your Health Blog
    • Golden Opportunity
    • Healthy State
    • Ochsner Magazine

    Job Seekers

    • Career Paths
    • Benefits
    • Open Positions

    Employees

    • Webmail
    • OHSLink
    • Workday

    Employers

    • Corporate Wellness
    • Medicare Advantage Plans

    Community Outreach

    • Classes & Events
    • Programs
    • Community Health Needs Assessment
    • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

    Education

    • Graduate Medical Education
    • Clinical Medical Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • Medical Library
    • Publishing Services
    • Medical Illustrations

    Research

    • Clinical Trials
    • Applied Health Services Research
    • Clinical Research & Trials
    • Nursing Research
    • Translational Research

    Giving

    • Donate
    • Volunteer

    About Ochsner

    • Mission & Vision
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Outcomes & Honors
    • News & Media
    • Alumni
    • Ochsner Health Network
    • Contact Us

    Shop

    • O Bar
    • Optical Shop
    • Ochsner Fitness Center
    • Brent House Hotel

    © Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

    Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

    Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

    We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

    Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

    Community Needs Health Assessment

    EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

    newsletter icon

    Subscribe to Our Newsletters

    newsletter icon

    Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

    Please select at least one category to continue.

    Curious about our newsletters?

    View details for each edition
    newsletter icon

    Let us know where to send your newsletters.

    To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
    To Your Health- General:
    To Your Health- Men’s Health:
    To Your Health- Parenting:
    To Your Health- Women’s Health:
    To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
    To Your Health- Skin Deep:

    Source:
    Source Description:
    Marketing Goal:
    newsletter icon

    You're all set!

    We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

    Ochsner Health System
    magnifying glass icon
    ESC to Close

    Begin Typing to Search

    Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide