Joint Replacement Surgery Specialist

When your joint is severely damaged, or your arthritis reaches an advanced stage, joint replacement surgery restores your mobility and relieves your pain. Sevag Bastian, MD, has exceptional surgical skills and years of experience helping patients return to an active lifestyle with joint replacement. If you have questions about this procedure or you’d like an evaluation to see if you qualify, call the office in Glendale, California, or request an appointment online.

Which joints can surgery replace?

Joint replacement is possible for nearly any joint in your body. However, Dr. Bastian most often performs replacements of the:

• Knee
• Hip
• Shoulder
• Wrist

Thanks to advances in technology, joint replacements are reliable and long-lasting. You can expect a hip or knee replacement to last about 20 years and possibly longer.

What health conditions require joint replacement surgery?

The conditions most often treated with a joint replacement include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the top reason for most joint replacements. This condition develops as cartilage breaks down, allowing bones in the joint to rub together when they move. As a result, you develop pain, joint stiffness, inflammation, and bone spurs. Once your osteoarthritis reaches an advanced stage, a joint replacement is the only solution.

Rheumatoid arthritis

When you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the synovial membranes lining the inside of the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic inflammation that gradually damages the cartilage and erodes bones.

Avascular necrosis

Avascular necrosis develops after a joint dislocation or fracture cuts off the blood supply. Without enough blood, the bone dies, and the joint is destroyed.

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy develops when a torn rotator cuff can’t hold the shoulder bones in place. As a result, the bones rub together, damaging the bone and causing arthritis. A rotator cuff tear combined with advanced arthritis causes severe weakness and pain.

Trauma

A severe fracture or traumatic injury may need a joint replacement.

How is joint replacement surgery performed?

A joint replacement is only considered when your pain, limited movement, or joint instability persists after trying all the possible non-surgical treatments. Dr. Bastian only recommends surgery when it is the best option for your situation. 

A knee, hip, or shoulder joint replacement may be partial or total. A partial knee replacement involves the inside compartment, outside compartment, or the kneecap. Getting a partial hip or shoulder replacement means that Dr. Bastian only replaces the rounded part of the upper leg or arm.

Whether you get a partial or total joint replacement, the procedure is similar. The old, damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced by prosthetic pieces. Whenever possible, Dr. Bastian performs joint replacement using minimally invasive techniques.

If you suffer from chronic joint pain and want to explore joint replacement, call the office of Sevag Bastian, MD, or use the online booking feature.