CANTON – The thought of facing a joint replacement may make you weak in the knees, but a local surgeon is ready to walk through the procedure with his patients who may require surgery.

St. Lawrence Health Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon David Newman, MD, specializes in partial and total knee replacements, and total hip replacement surgeries. Dr. Newman is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC), and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS).

“A total joint replacement surgery is an elective procedure.  The decision to proceed with surgery is based on a combination of factors: a patient will have failed non-operative treatment, or their arthritis is severe enough that non-operative treatment is no longer effective; x-ray findings must match the signs and symptoms the patient is reporting before they are considered a candidate for a joint replacement procedure.  At that point, I will look into their general health and medical conditions, and discuss if they would like to consider surgical options,” Dr. Newman explained.

Once it has been determined by the surgeon and his patient that all lights are green to proceed with joint replacement, the patient may need to take some steps to prepare themselves for the procedure.

“Patients need to be medically optimized by their primary care provider and any subspecialty medical services needed. They should be appropriately physically conditioned, and for the average patient, this typically means being mobile and able to walk, even if a cane or walker is needed.  Some patients may benefit from therapy, exercises, or conditioning prior to surgery,” Dr. Newman said.

His patients are advised to plan for two-and-a-half to three months of recovery, and to take as much time as they need for this process. Knee replacement surgery typically requires more physical therapy than total hip replacement surgery. Patients will likely need a walker for the first few weeks following surgery, then continue with the walker or cane for approximately six additional weeks. Recovery is highly variable based on the patient's other medical conditions and physical conditioning.

As patients recover from surgery, they continue to receive care through their orthopedic surgeon’s office. A wound check and x-ray appointment is scheduled two weeks after surgery; next is a six-week visit, followed by a three-and-a-half month postoperative visit. The next visit is an annual review with x-rays performed.  

“Depending on how the patient is doing, surveillance x-rays every three to five years are suggested to ensure there are no early signs of wear or tear on the prosthesis (new joint),” Dr. Newman said.

“The primary goal of a total joint replacement procedure is for pain management, and to help alleviate the symptoms of pain a person is experiencing.  This could lead to secondary gains such as increased range of motion, increased activity as a result of pain relief, and occasionally patients may lose weight,” he continued.

“St. Lawrence Health’s Canton-Potsdam Hospital is an excellent healthcare system to have a total joint replacement performed in,” Dr. Newman said. “You will experience a more personal touch seeing your surgeon in advance of the procedure in their office; in the hospital before surgery; and post-operatively. In addition, our Operating Room schedules and the surgical case volumes allow for individualized treatment and specific attention to each patient and their unique situation.”

If a patient is not at the level of needing joint replacement, conservative treatment options are available. They include activity modification, over-the-counter medications and topical ointments, wearing a customized or over-the-counter brace, exercises, and/or physical therapy. Cortisone injections and gel injections can also play a role in symptom management.

For more information on orthopedic services offered through St. Lawrence Health, and to watch a video by Dr. Newman about his specialty, visit https://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/services/orthopedics.