Joint
Replacement

Joint replacement doctors are specialty-trained surgeons who treat patients that require a type of joint replacement surgery, such as knee replacement or hip replacement. They use their knowledge and expertise to first assess and diagnose the joint problem, ruling out any possible nonoperative treatments, such as physical therapy, before recommending surgery.

The types of conditions and injuries that lead to the need for joint replacement surgery can vary. For instance, the patient may have an advanced form of arthritis or a joint that has been so badly injured in an accident that joint replacement is the only viable option. It is common for patients to have concerns when it comes to joint replacement surgery, worry that there may be complications during the procedure, or wonder how much time it will take before they are fully recovered. Joint replacement doctors listen to and understand these patient concerns. These joint specialists can then share their insights into why surgery is the best option and explain what is wrong with the joint, show the patient what the artificial joint looks like and how it will function, and discuss the amount of time a patient will likely need to spend in recovery and rehabilitation.

Today, joint replacement doctors not only have skills in advanced surgical techniques, but they also have access to the latest technology and computer-assisted resources to perform orthopedic surgery. Combined, this leads to joint replacement surgeries resulting in a patient's reduced or eliminated pain, greater mobility, and an overall improvement in their quality of life.

Should You See a Joint Replacement Doctor?                                                              

It may be time to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Bones feel as if they are rubbing against each other
• Hip joint feels unstable
• Medications or other therapies are no longer having an impact on your joint pain
• Severe knee pain
• Shoulder pain
• Stiffness or difficulty moving the joint
• Weakness or instability in the affected joint

These problems may indicate that you are dealing with an injury or condition, such as:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Fracture
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sports-related injury
• Traumatic injury

Specialized Joint Replacement Care You Can Trust in Abingdon, Bristol, Elizabethton & Johnson City

At Appalachian Orthopedics, we offer four convenient locations: Abingdon, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Elizabethton, and Johnson City. Our specialty-trained joint replacement doctors at Appalachian Orthopedics, Dr. Jason Brashear, Dr. Jonathan Clark, Dr. James Goss, Dr. Gabriel Hommel, Dr. John Mann, Dr. John Phillips, Dr. Alexander Rothy, Dr. Phillip Sussman, Dr. Larry Waldrop, and Dr. T. Lisle Whitman, have a full understanding of the body's anatomy and are dedicated to delivering an exceptional level of care. They will apply their expertise directly to your situation and can guide you toward treatments that help reduce pain and restore you to optimal health. Our surgeons always carefully consider nonsurgical options first before recommending surgery. Early on, they may take X-rays so they can further study the joint and surrounding structures to determine which nonsurgical treatment may be right for you, such as physical therapy or injections. If surgery is ultimately needed, rest assured that our orthopedic experts are highly skilled in performing a wide array of surgical procedures, including robotic-assisted joint replacement and outpatient joint replacement. They will use their advanced skills along with our state-of-the-art technology to perform the procedure that is right for you and can help reduce or eliminate your pain and help you gain the use of your joint again.

Working alongside our joint replacement surgeons, our licensed physical therapists provide a full and comprehensive set of outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation services. They treat each patient's problem individually through an evaluation to design a specific treatment plan with the overall goal of restoring function and enhancing one's quality of life.

Before, during, and after treatment, our patients can access our Online Guide to Joint Replacement for helpful resources and information on the joint replacement procedures available at Appalachian Orthopedics as well as pre-and postoperative care and answers to frequently asked questions.

If your pain is keeping you from living an active life, we're proud to offer access to an orthopedic specialist whenever you need it. Schedule an appointment online or call our Abingdon, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Elizabethton, or Johnson City location for a consultation with one of our expert joint replacement surgeons to diagnose and treat your issue.

For those acute injuries that can't wait, we also offer the following ways to be seen today: 

• Walk into one of our Orthopedic Urgent Care clinics at our Bristol Regional Medical Center or Johnson City office. No appointment needed.
• To be seen by a doctor on the same day, call your desired office.
• Chat with an orthopedic specialist 24/7, 365 days a year with our free OrthoCareNow service.