Total Joint Replacement and Care

Learn more about the Total Joint Replacement process at Denver Health by watching this short video.

Make An Orthopedic Appointment:

Having pain in your joints? Appointments are now available to be seen quickly and if surgery is needed, we have a group of excellent surgeons who offer joint replacement surgeries shortly after your clinic visit.

Denver Health now allows patients to schedule appointments directly with orthopedic providers, skipping the need for a referral from a primary care doctor. However, certain insurance plans might still require a referral including Medicare and Medicaid. This change simplifies access to orthopedic care, ensuring you can get the orthopedic help you need without unnecessary delays. 

303-436-4949

 

What Are the Different Types of Joint Replacement Surgeries?

Total Hip Arthroplasty (Hip Replacement) 

Hip replacement surgery is when a surgeon replaces a damaged or worn out hip joint with an artificial joint. This surgery may be a treatment for a hip fracture or for severe pain because of arthritis.

Total Knee Arthroplasty (Knee Replacement)

Knee replacement surgery is a treatment for severe pain that may be caused by injury or arthritis. This surgery typically involves replacing the bone with metal implants and plastic spacers. 

Your doctor may recommend these surgeries if non-surgical treatment options have not been effective or if medical tests, such as x-rays, indicate that surgery is the best treatment option.

What Happens During the Surgery?

TJA surgery involves removal of the defective bone through small incisions in the hip or knee and insertion of metal implants. Surgery time is approximately 45 minutes.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Total Joint Replacement Surgery?

You should be able to resume most normal activities of daily living within 3 to 6 weeks following surgery. Home exercises and formal physical therapy are key to the recovery process. 

What Are the Risks of Joint Replacement Surgery?

While most TJA surgeries are very successful, there are some potential complications to be aware of including blood clots, wound infection, infection around the hardware, malfunction of the hardware and nerve injury.

Conditions and Treatments

  • Arthritis
  • Arthrocentesis (closed joint aspiration)
  • Arthroscopy (fiberoptic joint examination)
  • Bursitis
  • Gout
  • Hip & knee
  • Hip replacement
  • Knee replacement (knee arthroplasty)
  • Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease; arthritis)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease; calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystal deposition disease; chondrocalcinosis)
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Septic arthritis (bacterial arthritis; infectious arthritis; pyogenic arthritis)
  • Shoulder