Joint Replacement Expertise and Treatment
Get Back to Your Active Life
John lived for years with knee pain. But when it became so bad that he had to quit his job, he knew it was time for a change. His research brought him to Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT
Our Joint Replacement Program has earned the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® for both Knee and Hip Replacement, and our specialists use the latest evidence-based approaches to speed recovery. Whatever the cause of your joint pain, we work with you to find a solution and get you back to your active life.
- Proven expertise in diagnosing and treating orthopedic conditions, from common to complex. And minimally invasive surgical approaches, such as anterior approach to hip surgery, to help speed your recovery.
- Excellent outcomes, including a shorter length of stay. Our outcomes put us in the top quartile of similar-sized California hospitals for joint replacement, according to 2016 National Inpatient Survey data.
- A specialized team that cares for more than 500 joint replacement patients each year. Specialized orthopedic certification for nurses and a unit-based clinical pharmacist help address your needs to ensure a smooth recovery.
- National recognition with the Gold Seal of Approval® for both Knee and Hip Replacement from the Joint Commission and Blue Distinction Center®+ from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- Education and support throughout your stay to ensure you are prepared for surgery and have your questions addressed. Our weekly joint replacement classes, orthopedic nurse coordinators, and physical therapists will help you so you know what to expect.
Types of Surgery Offered
Our orthopedic team performs over 500 knee and hip replacements each year. Several different types of surgeries are available. Talk with your doctor to determine which is best for you.
Total knee replacement involves removing all the damaged bone and cartilage in your knee, after which a new, artificial knee (called a prosthesis) is placed. This prevents further bone-on-bone erosion, restoring your mobility.
Partial knee replacement is surgery to replace a section of a damaged knee. It involves a similar process of removing damaged cartilage, and then that section is replaced with a prosthesis.
In posterior hip replacement, known as “traditional” hip replacement, the surgeon makes a 6- to 10-inch incision on the back of your hip. The surgeon then removes the damaged cartilage in your hip socket and replaces the ball at the top of the thighbone (femur) and the hip socket with a prosthesis. This approach gives your surgeon full access to your hip and preserves the hip abductor muscles, minimizing the risk of dysfunction post-operatively. You may have some restrictions in bending your hip after this approach.
In lateral hip replacement, the surgeon makes an incision in the side of your hip. The surgeon then removes the damaged cartilage in your hip socket and replaces the ball at the top of the thighbone (femur) and the hip socket with a prosthesis. This approach usually allows for a smaller incision than in traditional hip replacement.
In the anterior approach, your surgeon will access your hip through a small incision in the front of your hip, avoiding cutting major muscles. There are fewer muscles at the front of your hip, so it is possible to access your hip by simply moving the muscles aside. The doctor then removes the damaged cartilage in your hip socket and replaces the ball at the top of the thighbone (femur) and the hip socket with a prosthesis. There are no restrictions in bending your hip after this approach.
Our orthopedic surgeons can assess your joint pain and provide treatment options.
"I regained the confidence to be active again”
- Wendy, hip replacement patient
For more information about joint replacement or to find an orthopedic surgeon, call us at 844-576-0266.
Your Joint Replacement Care Team
Your orthopedics team is highly skilled and focuses specifically on you and your medical needs so that you can have a comfortable and successful recovery.
Your Doctors
Stanford Health Care - ValleyCare orthopedic surgeons are highly trained, employing the latest surgical approaches in their care. Find a Doctor »
Extended Care Team
Your team will consist of your orthopedic surgeon, orthopedic nurse coordinators, unit nurses, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, an on-unit pharmacist, physical therapist, a nutritionist, and a case manager.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Your surgeon performs your joint replacement surgery and will oversee your care.
Orthopedic Nurse Coordinators
Our nurse coordinators act as a link throughout the path of treatment and coordinate your hospital care.
Orthopedic Unit Nurses
Your nurses care for you throughout your stay. Many of our nurses have an extra certification in orthopedics, which means they have specialized training in your recovery process.
Anesthesiologist
Your anesthesiologist works to keep you comfortable and safe during surgery.
Unit-Based Clinical Pharmacist
Our pharmacist works with your surgeon to provide you with pain relief after your surgery. Since they are on the joint replacement floor, they are easily accessible to directly assess your pain levels to keep you comfortable.
Physical Therapy Team
Your physical therapists will take you through your post-operative exercises to improve your range of motion and joint strength.
Nutritionist
Our nutritionist can help ensure a healthy diet to facilitate healing.
Case Manager
Our case managers work with you to help with your transition from the hospital to your home.
Support Services
Our Joint Replacement Class, offered weekly, helps to prepare you for surgery and recovery. Led by the orthopedic nurse coordinator and physical therapist, you will learn what to expect about total joint replacement surgery to help minimize anxiety during your stay and help ensure a thorough recovery.