Renew Your Mobility with Joint Replacement
Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure that removes damaged or worn-out parts of a joint and replaces them with artificial components made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. These implants are designed to replicate natural joint movement and eliminate chronic pain caused by arthritis, injury, or degeneration. Living with joint pain can make everyday life feel increasingly limited. Activities that once brought joy may now feel uncomfortable or out of reach. Walking short distances, sleeping through the night, or simply getting dressed can become a challenge when pain no longer responds to medications, injections, or therapy.
At OrthoNY, our board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons perform total hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle replacements, as well as partial knee and revision surgeries. We use minimally invasive techniques and advanced computer-guided navigation to improve accuracy, reduce recovery time, and promote better outcomes. Before recommending surgery, we take a conservative and comprehensive approach. Our team will evaluate your condition, explore non-surgical treatment options, and, should you decide to proceed with surgery, ensure you’re medically cleared and physically prepared for the procedure.
If joint replacement is determined to be the right path forward, we will guide you through every step, starting with pre-operative education and medical clearances to personalized pain management and the post-operative recovery process. Following surgery, you’ll work closely with our team of orthopedic nurses and physical therapists to regain strength and mobility. From your first steps with your new joint to returning to the activities you love, OrthoNY is committed to your comfort, confidence, and recovery. Thousands of patients across the Capital Region have turned to OrthoNY for expert joint replacement surgery that restores freedom, reduces pain, and improves quality of life.
5 Benefits of Receiving Joint Replacement at OrthoNY
- Fellowship-trained surgeons experienced in hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder arthroplasty
- Advanced minimally invasive, computer-navigated, and robotic-assisted techniques for precise implant placement
- Access to case management support at our outpatient surgery centers, including pre-operative education and coordinated follow-up care when appropriate
- Comprehensive treatment in a focused orthopedic environment designed to lower infection risks and improve patient outcomes
- Convenient locations across Albany and the Capital Region for both surgery and follow-up visits
A Smarter Choice than a Hospital
OrthoNY’s surgery centers are designed specifically for orthopedic care, giving patients a focused alternative to traditional hospitals. Our model emphasizes safety, efficiency, and long-term outcomes.
- AAAHC-accredited centers meeting top safety standards
- 80% of U.S. surgeries performed in outpatient centers
- Lower costs than hospital-based orthopedic surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery by fellowship-trained surgeons
- Faster recovery, shorter waits, and lower infection risk
If surgery is your next step for care, ask your provider if an ASC setting is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I consider joint replacement?
Joint replacement becomes a consideration when chronic joint pain and stiffness severely restrict your ability to move and enjoy life despite non-surgical therapies. Signs that you may be a candidate include persistent pain that interrupts sleep or rest, difficulty performing routine activities like climbing stairs, walking short distances, or getting up from a chair, and dependence on pain medications to get through the day. The OrthoNY providers will first recommend conservative treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, weight management, assistive devices, and joint injections. If these measures provide only temporary relief or fail altogether, and X-rays show significant joint damage, replacement surgery may offer the best chance for long-term improvement. Overall health and level of functional impairment matter more than age. Many active adults in their forties through eighties can benefit from modern joint replacement.
Which joints can be replaced?
Hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder replacements are the most common procedures, but advances in implant design have expanded the options. Total hip replacement addresses severe arthritis or fractures in the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. Total knee replacement resurfaces the ends of the femur and tibia and may include the kneecap. Partial knee replacement replaces only the damaged compartment, preserving healthy bone and ligaments. Total shoulder replacement can involve the anatomical configuration of the shoulder or a reverse configuration for rotator cuff insufficiency. Total ankle replacement is an option for patients with severe arthritis or joint damage, offering pain relief and restored mobility while preserving motion in the ankle. Revision surgery may be necessary if a previous implant wears out or loosens. In select cases, replacements are also available for the ankle, elbow, and wrist. OrthoNY surgeons will discuss the benefits and limitations of each option based on diagnosis, age, bone quality, and activity level.
What is recovery like after joint replacement surgery?
Recovery is a multi-stage process that begins as soon as the surgery is complete. Highly trained professionals in the hospital or surgery center will help you get out of bed and start walking with a walker. At OrthoNY Surgery Centers, many patients are able to return home just hours after their procedure, and in the case of hip replacements, some are walking and even using stairs before leaving. Recovery time varies depending on the type of joint replaced, but our care team provides detailed guidance, recovery plans, and follow-up support to help patients safely regain mobility and return to daily activities.
How long do artificial joints last?
The longevity of joint replacements has improved dramatically over the past decades. Many modern hip and knee implants last 15 to 20 years or longer, and some may last a lifetime. Implant durability depends on several factors, including the quality of the implant materials such as metal alloys, ceramics, and polyethylene liners, the precision of surgical placement, activity level, and weight. High-impact activities, excess weight, or certain occupations can increase wear and may lead to earlier revision. Regular follow-up appointments allow your surgeon to monitor the implant and detect wear before it becomes symptomatic. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active with low-impact exercises, and following your surgeon’s precautions, such as avoiding extreme range of motion positions for hip implants, will help extend the life of your joint replacement.
What support does OrthoNY provide to its patients who are preparing for a joint replacement in our Outpatient Surgery Centers?
OrthoNY has a robust case management team that consists of registered nurses and physical therapists. They provide pre-operative screening for candidacy for surgery at our Outpatient Surgery Centers. For those patients who are having surgery at the surgery centers, Case Management provides pre-operative education and assists with planning to ensure all milestones are met in preparing for surgery. After surgery is complete, a Case Manager will follow your post-operative care for four weeks. They will perform weekly check-ins on your progress and be a point of contact for any clinical questions or concerns you may have along the way.
Are there alternatives to joint replacement?
Yes. Joint replacement is considered a last resort when conservative measures no longer provide sufficient relief or when the joint is severely damaged. Non-surgical options include weight loss to decrease joint stress, activity modifications, anti-inflammatory and pain medications, bracing, assistive devices like canes or walkers, and structured physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. Injections, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, may reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief.
In younger or active patients with specific deformities, osteotomy (cutting and realigning the bone) or cartilage restoration procedures may delay the need for replacement. Arthroscopic surgery to clean out damaged tissue can also help certain patients. OrthoNY providers will discuss these alternatives with patients and recommend the most appropriate course of action based on age, activity level, and the extent of joint damage.