If you have a painful joint that’s limiting your activities, total joint replacement is an option for you.

During total joint replacement, your orthopedic surgeon replaces the bad joint with long-lasting artificial joints that work like a healthy joint. The most common joint replacements are for the hip or knee.

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive option for some patients with joint problems like tears or cartilage damage. Surgeons use a narrow scope — called an arthroscope — and special surgical tools to access a joint. Because the surgeon makes very small “keyhole” incisions, patients have less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss and recover more quickly.