Last Updated October 14 2026

Joint replacement and reconstruction surgery replaces damaged portions of a joint with artificial components designed to restore movement and function. At Southern California Orthopedic Surgeons in Torrance, joint replacement care is centered on individualized surgical planning for patients whose hip or knee damage is significantly affecting mobility, comfort, and daily life.

Joint replacement is generally considered when arthritis, joint degeneration, or another structural problem has progressed to the point that symptoms continue despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment. The decision is not based on imaging alone. Your surgeon considers the extent of joint damage, how symptoms affect everyday activities, previous treatment, overall health, and what you hope to regain through surgery.

What is Joint Replacement and Reconstruction?

Joint replacement involves removing damaged joint surfaces and replacing them with prosthetic components. Depending on the joint and extent of damage, treatment may involve replacing part of the joint or performing a total joint replacement. Reconstruction may also include revision surgery when a previous replacement develops a problem or no longer functions as intended.

For hip and knee patients, the goal is to reduce symptoms and improve function when joint damage has become severe enough that nonsurgical care is no longer providing adequate relief. Patients who are not yet candidates for replacement may have other options depending on their diagnosis, including physical therapy, medication, activity modification, or injection therapy.

Common Conditions Treated

Joint replacement may be considered when structural joint damage causes persistent pain, stiffness, loss of mobility, or difficulty with everyday activities and nonsurgical treatment is no longer providing enough relief. Conditions that can lead to joint replacement or reconstruction include:

• Osteoarthritis: The most common form of arthritis, which leads to the breakdown of joint cartilage.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition causing inflammation and joint damage.
• Traumatic Injuries: Fractures, dislocations, or other injuries that affect joint structure.
• Avascular Necrosis: A condition where blood flow to the bone is reduced, causing bone tissue death.
• Severe Joint Infection or Implant-Related Infection: Infection can damage joint structures or affect an existing joint replacement. Treatment depends on the location and severity of infection and may involve staged or revision surgery.

Types of Joint Replacement Surgeries We Offer

At Southern California Orthopedic Surgeons, we offer comprehensive joint replacement options tailored to your unique condition. The surgical approach depends on which joint is affected, where the damage is located, the condition of the surrounding bone and soft tissues, and whether the patient has had previous joint replacement surgery. Procedures may include:

• Total Joint Replacement: The entire joint is replaced with prosthetic components, typically used for hips and knees.
• Partial Joint Replacement: In cases where only a portion of the joint is damaged, a partial replacement may be performed, preserving as much of the natural joint as possible. Learn more about partial knee replacement for athletes and active adults.
• Joint Resurfacing: In certain situations, we may recommend resurfacing techniques, especially for hips, which involve reshaping and capping the damaged joint surface with a metal prosthesis.
• Revision Joint Replacement: If your previous joint replacement failed or worn out over time, we can perform revision surgery to correct the problem and restore function.

Benefits of Joint Replacement

• Reduced Joint Pain: Many patients experience meaningful improvement in pain caused by severe arthritis or joint damage after successful replacement surgery.
• Improved Mobility: Joint replacement may make walking, standing, climbing stairs, and other everyday movements more manageable.
• Long-Term Joint Function: Modern joint implants are designed for long-term use, although implant longevity varies based on the type of replacement, activity level, overall health, and other individual factors.
• Improved Quality of Life: Reducing pain and improving joint function can help patients return to everyday activities and appropriate recreational activities after recovery.

What to Expect from the Procedure

Joint replacement surgery is planned around the affected joint, your anatomy, medical history, and the type of reconstruction required. During surgery, damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with prosthetic components selected and positioned to restore joint function and stability.

For selected hip and knee replacements, robotic-assisted technology may be used to support surgical planning and implant positioning. The robotic system does not perform the operation independently. It is a surgical tool used by the surgeon as part of the planned procedure.

After surgery, rehabilitation and progressive activity are important parts of regaining strength, movement, and function. Your specific recovery plan depends on the joint replaced, procedure performed, overall health, and progress after surgery.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery from joint replacement surgery involves physical therapy, progressive activity, and time for the joint and surrounding tissues to heal. Recovery varies by procedure and patient. Many people gradually resume routine daily activities during the first several weeks after hip or knee replacement, while strength, mobility, endurance, and comfort can continue improving for several months. Your surgeon and rehabilitation team will guide your return to specific activities based on your progress.

Most people who have had hip or knee replacement surgery experience significant improvement in pain and regain the ability to walk, climb stairs, get in and out of the car and tie their shoes. But there are still some people who are dissatisfied with the results after the procedure. Patient satisfaction after hip and knee replacement surgery is important to surgeons as they strive for high quality and cost-effective care of their patients. Studies have shown that there are steps you can take before and after surgery to improve the likelihood that you are satisfied with the results.

How Do Recovery and Satisfaction Differ After Hip and Knee Replacement?

Another study compared satisfaction between people who had total hip replacement surgery and those who had total knee replacement surgery. They found that more hip replacement patients were willing to undergo the surgery again (96%) than knee replacement patients (89%). Overall satisfaction was 89% in the hip replacement group and 81% in the knee replacement group. People who had hip replacements had higher satisfaction with pain reduction while performing routine daily activities.

Moreover, 78% of hip replacement patients felt their expectations were met compared to 70% of people who had knee replacements. You might hear that a hip replacement is a much easier recovery than a knee replacement, and it’s true that people with new knees usually require more physical therapy after surgery. While many hip replacement patients eventually forget about their new joint, knee replacement patients may continue to have an “artificial” feeling in their new joint.