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Don’t let joint pain slow you down

Get freedom for hip, knee, shoulder or ankle pain with joint replacement surgery.

Find a Joint Replacement Specialist

Get freedom from pain and start doing what you love

Choose South Carolina’s most preferred provider of total joint replacement services.

We offer convenient appointment hours and locations across the Midlands and Upstate. At some locations, you can even schedule your joint replacement surgery as an outpatient procedure.

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Experienced, pioneering surgeons

Did you know that the world’s first prosthetic hip replacement was performed here by Dr. Austin Moore, founder of our orthopedic practice in the Midlands? His approach became the gold standard, and since then we’ve continued a proud tradition of innovation and clinical excellence.

Orthopedic specialists are fellowship trained in total joint replacement
Extensive experience in revision cases (worn implants or other issues)
Minimally invasive, non-surgical approach whenever possible
The latest surgical technology and implant materials
Innovation through local academic research partnerships

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Robotic joint replacement: A surgeon's patient journey

After trying other treatments, including operations to ease his knee pain, Philip Wessinger, MD, had his knee replaced using the robotic system he introduced to Patewood Hospital.

With 5,000 annual procedures, Prisma Health orthopedic specialists have the experience to help you recover quickly and stay strong. From pre-surgery education to post-surgical support and physical therapy — you’ll receive thorough care to ensure the best possible results for your new shoulder, hip, knee or ankle.

0:00

(orchestral music)

0:08

- I'm Phillip Wessinger,

0:10

I'm an Orthopedic Surgeon and have been an

0:12

Orthopedic Surgeon with Prisma Health for the last 27 years.

0:16

What led to my procedure really started back

0:19

in my late teens and in early college.

0:22

I was an athlete and very active,

0:24

and with that comes the injuries that you get

0:27

when you're an athlete.

0:28

Had several knee operations early on,

0:31

in my understanding and doing this for a long time,

0:34

pretty much destined me to

0:35

needing a knee replacement at some point.

0:38

I did the things that we advise patients to do.

0:41

I tried to keep my weight down.

0:43

I tried to keep my activity levels at a level

0:45

where I kept my strength and range of motion.

0:47

I used any inflammatory medications.

0:50

I use braces, I use the injection therapies that we do,

0:54

and all those things worked well for me up until

0:57

the last year or so,

0:59

as I saw my function start to deteriorate,

1:02

became evident that my conservative treatment

1:05

was no longer going to be adequate.

1:07

And I realized that what I've been told

1:10

I needed a long time ago

1:12

was coming to fruition.

1:13

- Dr. West singer had severe arthritis in his knee.

1:17

He failed what we call Conservative Treatment.

1:19

And then he required a knee replacement.

1:21

The knee replacement is a retread

1:23

of the surfaces of the joint,

1:25

which removes the arthritis changes.

1:27

In his case, we used a robotic system,

1:29

which is referred to as CORI.

1:31

I think some people get the impression

1:33

that the robot does the surgery.

1:35

The robot is actually a tool that we use that I think

1:38

enhances our ability to do the procedure more predictably.

1:42

The CORI system uses inter-operative mapping,

1:46

which actually makes a three dimensional image

1:48

of that patient's joint.

1:49

And from that we're able to better do

1:52

their surgical procedure

1:54

- In relationship to my postoperative experience,

1:57

the first couple of weeks is slow.

1:59

I use crutches for approximately two weeks,

2:01

obviously had to use pain medicine that

2:04

was needed in order to do physical therapy

2:07

and participate with the things I was

2:08

being asked to do by the therapist.

2:10

After two weeks, transitioned over to a cane

2:13

and used a cane sort of as needed as I moved around.

2:17

But certainly by the four week mark,

2:19

I was doing pretty well,

2:20

so much so, that I was back in office

2:23

and by six weeks was back in the operating room.

2:26

By eight weeks,

2:27

I was back a hundred percent doing what I do.

2:30

- There's a lot of different

2:31

diagnosis that can cause knee pain.

2:34

For example, a person could have arthritis,

2:36

which we perform the Total Knee Replacement for,

2:39

but there could be other things such as a meniscus tear.

2:42

There could be different causes of inflammation in the knee.

2:45

So if you're experiencing symptoms in your knee,

2:47

probably a first thing to do is be evaluated

2:49

by a primary care doctor.

2:50

Usually they're going to obtain x-rays,

2:52

you may need an MRI scan,

2:54

and then they can determine if you need to see a specialist,

2:57

like an orthopedic surgeon.

2:59

We also have non-operative orthopedist in our office

3:02

who can do that preliminary evaluation.

3:04

- When I described the excellence of the care I received,

3:07

everyone treated me as if I were a novice

3:10

with regard to this.

3:11

And I took that as, not only a compliment,

3:14

but it gave me real confidence

3:16

in the way my patients are taken care of.

3:18

Every piece of information was given to me as

3:21

if I'd had not had any previous knowledge

3:24

with regard to how this should go.

3:26

That just demonstrated the commitment

3:29

to excellent care and good communication that our staff has.

3:34

And I got great confidence from that because it does require

3:37

that teamwork and expertise for us to have the outcomes

3:40

that we have.

3:44

(inspiring music)

What is joint replacement?

Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of an arthritic or damaged joint are removed and replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device called a prosthesis. The prosthesis is designed to replicate the movement of a normal, healthy joint.

Common joint replacements

Hip and knee replacements are the most commonly performed joint replacements, but replacement surgery can be performed on other joints, as well, including the ankle, wrist, shoulder and elbow.

A joint is where the ends of two or more bones meet. There are different types of joints within the body. For example, the knee is considered a “hinge” joint, because of its ability to bend and straighten like a hinged door. The hip and shoulder are “ball-and-socket” joints, in which the rounded end of one bone fits into a cup-shaped area of another bone.

When is total joint replacement recommended?

Several conditions can cause joint pain and disability and lead patients to consider joint replacement surgery. In many cases, joint pain is caused by damage to the cartilage that lines the ends of the bones (articular cartilage) – either from arthritis, a fracture or another condition.

If non-surgical treatments like medications, physical therapy, and changes to your everyday activities do not relieve your pain and disability, your doctor may recommend total joint replacement.

What is joint restoration?

Assess my hip and knee health

Hip and knee pain can make daily life difficult. Find out how much your quality of life is affected by joint pain by taking a free health assessment.

Start Assessment

Frequently asked questions about hip pain

The hip joint can withstand repeated motion and a fair amount of wear and tear. This ball-and-socket joint — the body’s largest — fits together in a way that allows for fluid movement. Despite its durability, the hip joint isn’t indestructible. With age and use, the cartilage can wear down or become damaged. Muscles and tendons in the hip can get overused. Bones in the hip can break during a fall or other injury.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions about knee pain

Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions — including arthritis, gout and infections — also can cause knee pain.

Learn More

Why choose us?

The preferred provider

The most joint replacements in the state and rated high in patient satisfaction

A Blue Distinction® Center

Nationally recognized for expertise in hip and knee replacement

Convenient access

Locations in the Midlands and Upstate, including outpatient options

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