Joint Replacement Surgery
If you face the decision to have joint replacement surgery, the surgeons and support staff at Pardee Center for Joint Replacement will help you weigh your options. They are focused on maintaining or restoring your independence, mobility and quality of life.
We offer the following joint replacement surgical procedures:
Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip replacement involves removing the head of the thigh bone (femur) and replacing the ball-and-socket of the hip with an artificial joint.
Often performed as minimally invasive surgery, using an arthroscopic approach through a small incision, total hip replacement surgery reduces or eliminates pain, improves mobility and restores the quality of life lost through injury or the joint’s decline over time or as the result of disease.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery, a common orthopedic surgery, may be recommended to treat chronic inflammation from arthritis, an injury or simple wear and tear over time.
Knee replacement surgery involves resurfacing the worn-out areas of your knee. This can be done using an arthroscope and a small incision. This minimally invasive approach reduces damage to the surrounding tissue and allows for a quicker recovery than occurs with an open incision.
Elbow Replacement Surgery
Elbow replacement surgery, like other joint replacement procedures, consists of replacing part or all of the elbow joint with artificial components, which are anchored by the bones in the upper arm, the humerus, and the outside of the forearm, the ulna. Often, structures that make up the joint, including the cartilage that protects the joint, wear down due to disease, injury or use over time.
This surgery is recommended when elbow pain or instability exists or when the elbow no longer functions, causing disability.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Shoulder replacement surgery replaces damaged surfaces of bone or cartilage worn away by disease, injury, or wear and tear. Parts of the shoulder or the total shoulder can be replaced by an artificial mechanism, or prosthesis, through a minimally invasive, arthroscopic technique. The joint replacement can minimize or eliminate pain and stiffness and prevent tissue death.
At Pardee, we incorporate innovative and new technology to bring the best shoulder replacement options to our patients. For example, we offer ExactechGPS® Guided Personalized Surgery, a revolutionary technology that helps surgeons plan the surgery ahead of time, considering each patient’s unique anatomy, for the precise placement of your shoulder implant.
Pardee is Participating in a Care Improvement Initiative from Medicare
UNC Health Pardee is committed to providing affordable, high-quality care for our patients and is currently participating in the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) healthcare program. Medicare designed this program to encourage higher quality care and greater financial accountability from hospitals when Medicare beneficiaries receive lower-extremity joint replacement procedures (LEJR), typically hip or knee replacements. You can find additional information here.
Joint Replacement Team
Our Joint Replacement Team consists of board-certified orthopedic surgeons, who use advanced surgical techniques to reduce your risk for complications and speed up your recovery time. They are supported by a surgical staff made up of registered nurses, board-certified anesthesiologists and certified nurse anesthetists, and surgical technicians trained to offer the best care during surgery. Additionally, physical and occupational therapists help you rebuild your strength and mobility after surgery.
Joint Replacement Patient Representative
Brianna Stepp, RN
The Center for Joint Replacement’s patient representative Brianna Stepp, R.N., guides patients through joint replacement preparation and recovery. A registered nurse, Brianna serves as an accessible, expert resource for patients who need elective joint replacement surgery.
As your patient representative, Brianna will:
- Discuss admission screenings to make sure you have the necessary tests and appointments before your surgery
- Schedule your surgical orientation
- Lead you through Joint Center education classes
- Visit with you while you are recovering from surgery
- Work with participants in our Joint Camp, an inpatient program that offers physical and occupational therapy to improve movement and circulation, and speed recovery.
