Joint Replacement Specialist

What is joint replacement?

Joint replacement is a type of orthopedic surgery used to restore a diseased or damaged joint. If you regularly experience severe joint pain that limits your mobility, minimally invasive joint replacement can provide relief and allow you to return to your favorite activities. 

At Orthopedics Unlimited, Dr. Rieber performs robotically assisted joint replacement. The robotic system allows him to make intraoperative adjustments within a fraction of a degree, ensuring the greatest precision and most accurate fit for your prosthesis. This results in fewer complications, quicker recovery times, and improved stability.

Why would I need a joint replacement?

Whenever possible, Dr. Rieber recommends conservative, minimally invasive treatments to ease joint pain. However, if your symptoms persist or don’t respond to physical therapy, amniotic tissue injections, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, surgical intervention may be necessary. 

This is particularly true if you have a chronic condition like arthritis that gets progressively worse over time.

What are the types of joint replacement surgery?

At Orthopedics Unlimited, Dr. Rieber offers several types of joint replacement surgery, including:

• Arthroscopic joint replacement surgery
• Robotically assisted joint replacement surgery
• Rotator cuff surgery
• ACL surgery
• Shoulder surgery

He also provides joint replacement surgery for the knees and hips.

How does joint replacement surgery work?

At Orthopedics Unlimited, Dr. Rieber performs joint replacement surgery on an outpatient basis. This means you can return home following your procedure. Dr. Rieber also offers second opinions. If your primary care physician recommends surgery, he can determine if you’ll benefit.

Joint replacement surgery occurs under general anesthesia. You’re asleep throughout the entire procedure, ensuring you experience no pain. Joint replacement surgery typically takes 2-3 hours. 

During your operation, Dr. Rieber uses robotically assisted tools to remove the damaged cartilage and bone from your joint and replace them with prosthetic components made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. The prosthetics mimic the shape and function of your natural joint materials, allowing for a full range of motion.

After placing and securing your new joint, Dr. Rieber stitches up your incisions and moves you to an observation room while the anesthesia wears off. Once you’re awake, he writes you several prescriptions and sends you home with a list of recovery instructions. 

What is recovery like following joint replacement surgery?

Following joint replacement surgery, it’s normal to experience some swelling and temporary pain. For the first few weeks after your procedure, get plenty of rest, take your medications as prescribed, and attend all of your follow-up appointments. 

Once your joint regains some strength, Dr. Rieber refers you to a physical therapist. Your physical therapist develops a customized exercise regimen that strengthens and helps restore movement to your joint. 

To see if you’re a candidate for joint replacement surgery, schedule an appointment at Orthopedics Unlimited by phone or online today.