The orthopedic specialists at Palo Alto Medical Foundation offer hip, knee, elbow and shoulder replacements. The team also offers revision operations, replacing artificial joints that no longer work well with newer joints.
PAMF Centers for Joint Replacement locations:
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Burlingame: (650) 652-8700
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Los Gatos: (408) 733-6160
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Palo Alto: (650) 853-2018
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Santa Cruz: (831) 477-2325
Joint Replacement Procedures
Pain in the joints that isn’t relieved by nonsurgical methods can find relief with joint replacement procedures. The most common procedures performed at PAMF’s Centers for Total Joint Replacement are hip and knee replacements.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Some people are good candidates for minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgery, which can provide some benefits over traditional surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) involves a smaller incision. For example, a traditional knee replacement requires a six to 12-inch-long incision, while MIS is performed with only a four to five-inch incision.
Potential advantages of MIS:
- Less blood loss
- Less trauma to the surrounding tissues
- Shorter hospital stays
- Generally earlier rehabilitation
MIS is not suitable for everyone. Successful candidates for this type of surgery are generally at a healthy weight, in good health, younger than traditional joint replacement patients and must be motivated to work at their recovery.
Individuals who are obese or who have had previous hip or knee surgery are generally not suitable candidates for minimally invasive procedures. Your surgeon can evaluate if you are a good candidate after performing a careful evaluation and discussing with you the risks and benefits of MIS compared to traditional joint replacement.
Joint Replacement in an Ambulatory (Outpatient) Surgery Center (ASC)
Some joint replacement procedures are now available outside the hospital environment, thanks to advancements in technology, technique and expertise. Joint replacement in an ASC can offer advantages for some patients. Your surgeon can discuss this option with you.
Joint Replacement Patient Care Process
Joint replacement is a major surgical procedure. It’s important to understand the joint replacement patient care process if you think you might benefit from joint replacement surgery.
