Joint Replacement Dr. Jason Stanford specializes in three areas of replacement surgery: Shoulder, Knee and Hip. Shoulder Replacement In shoulder replacement surgery, the parts of the bones that rub together are replaced with metal and plastic implants. Using minimally invasive instruments, Dr. Stanford will remove the damaged, arthritic portions of the bones and replace them with a new artificial shoulder. Typically, both the ball and socket will be replaced. A conventional shoulder replacement device mimics the normal anatomy of the shoulder. A plastic cup is fitted into the shoulder socket and a metal ball is attached to the top of the arm bone. In special situations, you may require a reverse total shoulder replacement. A reverse total shoulder replacement is intended for individuals with shoulder arthritis and large rotator cuff tears. This type of shoulder replacement is designed to use different muscles to move the arm since the rotator cuff is torn. With this type of replacement, the orientation of the ball and socket are reversed to allow the other muscles of the shoulder to move and position the arm. Knee Replacement Knee pain can severely affect your ability to lead a full and active life. Most activities of daily living involve the use of the knee, so knee pain is a common complaint among patients. Severe knee pain is typically caused by advanced arthritis of the knee joint. Other symptoms include limited motion and swelling. Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most effective, safe and commonly performed procedures to treat severe arthritis. The knee is made up of the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone) and the patella (kneecap). The femur attaches and pivots on top of the tibia, which forms a hinge. Ligaments provide stability to the knee joint and attach the femur to the tibia. Cartilage surrounds the surfaces of the bones to cushion the joint and aid in movement. When this cartilage breaks down due to overuse, intense pain can arise and cause further damage to the joint. Total knee replacement involves surgically removing the damaged bone, and then replacing the end of the femur and tibia bones with metal and plastic. For some patients, a partial knee replacement surgery may be recommended, since only part of the joint may be damaged. The benefits of partial knee replacement include: smaller incision, less time in the hospital and a faster recovery. Hip Replacement A painful hip can limit your everyday activities. The hip joint is one of the largest joints in our body. It bears significant weight as we pursue our daily lives. Advanced arthritis in the hip joint limits the range of motion and leads to pain, which interferes in many facets of daily life. The hip joint is made up of two main parts: the femoral head and the acetabulum. The femoral head is the top of the femur, or thighbone. The acetabulum is the rounded socket in the pelvis into which the femoral head fits. This forms the hip joint. During hip replacement surgery, the damaged and arthritic femoral head is removed and replaced with an artificial metal or ceramic ball, while the acetabulum is fitted with a metal cup and plastic liner. The new ball and socket will glide together replicating the hip joint.