Joint Replacement & Joint Revision Surgery
The ultimate solution for your unrelenting hip and knee pain exists. There is no need to suffer with hip and knee pain. You don't need to miss out on what makes you happy.
Suffering with arthritis or constant joint pain? Ibuprofen helps but doesn't last. Injections may have worked for a while but now don't work as well? Whether you suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other painful maladies, we have the answers to your questions. At Iowa Clinic, our orthopaedic surgery specialists are here to help you get back on your feet, back on the golf course, back to hiking, back to playing wth grandkids, essentially back to doing all the things you love most.
Live pain-free
You shouldn’t suffer with hip pain, knee pain or other joint pain.
Find an orthopaedic surgeon near you
Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery at The Iowa Clinic
Who is a good candidate for joint replacement surgery? How do I know if I need it?
Anyone struggling with pain in the hip (usually felt in the groin) or knee related to arthritis is a good candidate for joint arthroplasty. Most people have gone through some conserevative treatement like antiinflammatory medication, injections, or even physical therapy prior to preceeding with surgery; however, most of these remedies only treat symptoms of progressive arthritis. Regardless of the cause (osteoarthritis, post traumatic or inflammatory arthritis like rheumaoid, psoriatic or other), the destruction of the articular cartilage progresses until there is bone touching bone. Advanced bone on bone arthritis is rarely effectively treated conservatively and requires joint replacement. When pain in your knee or groin prevents you from being active in dong things you love or being with those you love, it's time to consider hip or knee arthroplasty.
The great news? Pain relief is near.
With a hip replacement, the pain that brought you to surgery is gone almost immediately. Most people wake up from surgery and feel better. You can walk immediately and limited physical therapy is there to assist you to get back to walking normally quickly.
While knee replacement recovery is not as instant, the pain after knee arthroplasty is much better tolerated than in the past. The best advancement in joint replacement is the ability to control pain after surgery which allows for faster recovery and early discharge from the hospital (even the same day is available!!). Physical therapy twice weekly for on average 6 weeks is essential to fostering the best results after knee replacement.
Posterior or anterior? Robotic or computer navigation? I want the best!!!
Fellowship-trained in hip and knee replacement, Dr. Craig Moe specializes in joint replacement surgery and joint revisions. He has seen everything from routine arthritic joints to defromed hips and knees to failed prior joint replacements. His depth of knowledge, constinuing education, and experience are evident in discussing all of the latest innovations and how they can affect your outcomes with joint replacement.
Dr. Moe finds the relationship you have with your surgeon matters more than any technoglogy. He feels connected to his patients and treats them all as he would his own family. Dr. Moe honestly presents options to his patients and enjoys educating his patients so they can be comfortable with any decision made regarding their treatment.
Hip arthrolplasty has traditionally been approached posteriorly. The direct anterior approach has gained popularity lately and has been promoted in media as having superior outcomes. Essentially these are just ways at getting to the hip in order to replace the joint. No clinical research has shown a significant difference in outcomes between these approaches.
Similarly, robotic and computer navigated joint replacement have been promoted as better than more traditional methods. There are aspects to this technology that make surgery more precise; however, again, no statistically significant data demonstrates improved outcomes with these innovations.
Dr. Moe continues to study and research the latest advancements in joint arthroplasty but makes decisions regarding their use after evaluating the benefits versus the drawbacks of such technology. He will never be a physician who experiments with your surgery.
Success post-surgery: What to expect post-op
Hip and knee replacement are now being performed with minimal if any hospital stay. Most patients go home the day after surgery and many go home the same day. As such, the best experience involves eduacation in expectations after surgery and preparing for going home. You will receive extensive information regarding this improtant transition. In addition, you will be in contact with the joint camp and joint coordinator at the hospital who will exahustively ensure you are prepared for your recovery at home. Lastly, Dr Moe is always accessible to his patients for concerns and questions.
What is the difference between joint replacement surgery and a joint revision?
Primary joint replacement is the procedure for those patients suffering from joint destruction related to arthritis of any kind. Most primary joint replacements last on average 18-20 years. At that point, the arthroplasty needs to be revised. Revision joint arthroplasty is for those patients who have already had a joint replacement but are now wearing out or have other complications related to the surgery.
The Iowa Clinic specializes in orthopaedic hip and knee surgery:
- Primary total knee replacement
- Primary total hip replacement
- Revision total hip replacement
- Revision total knee replacement
“I spend time with my patients and really get to know them, because I want to see the best possible outcome. I see them when they first come in to the office. I follow them and see them while they’re in the hospital. I then continue to see them as a post-op patient and forever there after as it pertains to their joint pain. I am 100% accessible to my patients and I am here to help them get back to the lives they want to lead,” says Dr. Moe.
Make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon, or book an appointment online.