Many people assume achy hips and creaky knees are a natural part of the aging process, or a consequence of strenuous exercise. But whatever your age or activity level, having pain in your hip or knee means there is a problem within the joint. If pain, stiffness or swelling keeps you from your favorite activities — or keeps you up at night — it’s time to see an orthopedic doctor who specializes in joint care. At Athens Orthopedic Clinic, we treat hip and knee pain caused by conditions like arthritis, dysplasia, impingement and osteonecrosis. Whether you want to manage your symptoms without surgery or are looking for a hip or knee surgeon, you’ll find treatment options to suit your needs, goals and preferences.

Nonsurgical Treatments for Hip or Knee Pain

Not everyone with joint pain wants or needs surgery. In many cases, we can greatly reduce your symptoms using a conservative (nonsurgical) approach. Your options include:

• Weight loss. Maintaining a healthy weight takes pressure off your hips and knees. Losing weight can also slow arthritis progression. 
• New fitness options. If certain types of exercise make your joints hurt, we can recommend lower-impact activities that help you stay fit with less pain. 
• Rehabilitation. Our physical therapists can help you reduce pain, improve your flexibility and range of motion, and strengthen your muscles.
• Orthopedic aids. Shoe inserts, knee sleeves, braces and canes can help stabilize or reduce pressure on your joint. 
• Oral medicine. Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications reduce pain and inflammation. These can include ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and prednisone. Be sure to talk to your doctor before beginning any medication.
• Joint injections. Corticosteroids (cortisone shots), viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid shots) and plasma injections can also reduce pain and inflammation. 

Our Hip and Knee Replacement Options

If conservative treatments don’t help or stop working, you may need hip or knee replacement surgery. For many patients, joint replacement is a long-term solution that provides long-lasting relief. 

All of our hip and knee surgeons perform traditional “open” surgery and newer, less invasive procedures that may help you recover more quickly. You and your doctor will decide which approach is best for you, based on several factors. These include:

• Your age
• Your physical fitness and normal activity levels
• Whether your condition is early or advanced
• The severity of your symptoms
• Your bone quality
• Your health insurance coverage

Hip Replacement Surgery

Our orthopedic surgeons offer traditional, minimally invasive and robotic hip replacement. Our areas of expertise include:

• Total hip replacement. Your surgeon removes the top of your thigh bone — along with the “socket” portion of your pelvis — and replaces them with metal or ceramic parts (implants). 
• Anterior hip replacement. This is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional total hip replacement. We make a 3- to 4-inch incision at the front of your hip, instead of an 8- to 12-inch incision on the side or back of your hip.  
• Hip resurfacing (partial hip replacement). We shave just a few millimeters of bone from the top of your thigh and cap it with metal.

For patients who are interested and qualify, we can also perform total hip replacements using Mako® robotic technology. This minimally invasive approach uses planning software and a surgeon-controlled robotic arm. It enhances implant placement and helps preserve healthy bone.‍

Knee Replacement Surgery

We offer traditional and robotic knee replacement surgery, including:

• Total knee replacement. Your surgeon removes diseased bone and cartilage from the bottom of your thigh and the top of your shin bone, and replaces them with metal or plastic implants.
• Partial knee replacement. We replace part of the knee with artificial parts, but leave the rest of the joint intact.

If you prefer a robotic approach and your insurance covers it, we can perform both partial and total knee replacements using Mako technology.  

Why Choose Athens Orthopedic Clinic for Joint Replacement

We know you’re looking for a medical team that can help you safely — and successfully — get over your pain and get back to doing what you love. Our orthopedic specialists have advanced training in hip and knee care, and you’ll find the care we provide is as complete as it is convenient. 

People also choose us because:

• We offer outpatient hip and knee replacement. Patients who meet certain criteria can return home the same day they have surgery. Studies show that recovering in the comfort of your own home instead of a hospital may lower your risk of infection and other complications. 

• We’ll coordinate all your care from start to finish. We’re more than just a team of orthopedic specialists. Our locations include imaging centers, outpatient surgery centers, physical and occupational therapy centers, and orthopedic urgent care clinics. This means we can take care of you from diagnosis and treatment through rehab and recovery.

‍