Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement for advanced hip arthritis or joint damage. Dr. Barnes uses a posterior hip approach, the approach he trained in and is most comfortable performing.
Explore hip care →Hip • Knee • Shoulder Arthroplasty
Joint Replacement in Lake Havasu City
Arthroplasty care for hip, knee, and shoulder arthritis with shared decision-making, clear expectations, outpatient recovery when appropriate, and modern planning tools for the right patient.
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Outpatient focusAbout 95% of replacements outpatient
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Mako optionHip and knee planning when appropriate
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Arthroplasty-specificHip, knee, shoulder, reverse shoulder
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Real expectationsRecovery milestones, precautions, and limits
🏠95% outpatientMost replacements are performed as outpatient surgery when medically appropriate.
🚶Walker → caneMany hip and knee patients use a walker around 2 weeks, then a cane around 4 more weeks.
🧭3–4 month goalMost patients are back to many desired activities by 3 to 4 months.
💬No false promisesThe goal is pain relief and better function, but no replacement can be guaranteed pain-free.
When to consider arthroplasty
Joint replacement is not the first answer for every patient.
Replacement becomes a serious discussion when arthritis or joint damage limits walking, sleep, work, recreation, or basic daily activities despite reasonable nonsurgical treatment.
The decision is not based on age alone. It depends on your symptoms, X-rays, overall health, goals, support at home, and whether the expected benefit is worth the recovery and surgical risk.
Pain and stiffness
Symptoms are affecting daily life, sleep, stairs, walking, work, or hobbies.
Arthritis on imaging
X-rays or other imaging show advanced cartilage loss or joint destruction.
Treatment no longer helps
Therapy, injections, bracing, medications, or activity changes are no longer enough.
Hip, knee, and shoulder replacement options
This hub page stays focused on arthroplasty. The individual joint pages go deeper into hip, knee, and shoulder conditions.
Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement, and partial knee replacement for selected patients, replaces the worn cartilage with a new bearing surface. Motion milestones are especially important after surgery.
Explore knee care →Shoulder Replacement
Anatomic shoulder replacement and reverse shoulder replacement are considered based on arthritis pattern, bone quality, and rotator cuff function.
Explore shoulder care →
Dr. Barnes’ arthroplasty approach
Modern planning, careful patient selection, and honest expectations.
Every replacement is a balance of diagnosis, implant choice, surgical technique, rehabilitation, and patient expectations. Dr. Barnes aims to help patients understand the tradeoffs before deciding on surgery.
- Shared decision-making about timing, treatment options, and surgical setting.
- Mako-assisted hip and knee planning is available for the right patient.
- Most replacements are outpatient when the patient, procedure, and home support make that safe.
- The goal is meaningful pain relief and better function — but no responsible surgeon can guarantee a pain-free replacement.
What replacement actually does
Arthroplasty creates a new bearing surface.
The goal of joint replacement is to remove the worn-out cartilage and arthritis and give the joint a new bearing surface. The components Dr. Barnes uses commonly include titanium, cobalt chrome, and high-density plastic.
Some implants are cemented. Others use bone on-growth or in-growth fixation when bone density and surgical factors make that appropriate.
What patients should know
- Implant choice depends on the joint, anatomy, bone quality, and surgical plan.
- Metal and plastic feel different than bone and cartilage.
- Knee replacements can have some side-to-side play, and patients may hear or feel it.
- Native knees also have some side-to-side motion; the goal is a functional, stable, durable replacement.
What recovery usually looks like
These are practical expectations Dr. Barnes commonly discusses with patients. Individual recovery depends on the operation, health, therapy, and adherence to instructions.
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Walker then cane
Most hip and knee patients use a walker for about 2 weeks, then a cane for about 4 more weeks.
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3–4 months
Most patients are back to many activities they want to do by 3 to 4 months.
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No submersion
No pool, hot tub, bath, lake, or river submersion until about 30 days after surgery.
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Blood clot prevention
If not already on an anticoagulant, aspirin 325 mg daily for 4 weeks is commonly recommended.
Home recovery
Outpatient replacement is built around safe mobility, pain control, home support, and clear instructions.
Mobility progression
Walking aids are part of a planned progression, not a setback.
Joint-specific recovery expectations
This is the practical detail patients often want before surgery.
Knee replacement
Some numbness on the outside/lateral aspect of the knee is normal. Range-of-motion goals are important: 0–90° around 2 weeks and 0–120° by about 6–7 weeks. If motion falls behind, manipulation under anesthesia may be discussed.
Posterior hip replacement
Dr. Barnes recommends posterior hip precautions long-term to reduce dislocation risk, especially avoiding deep flexion, crossing the knee across midline, and extreme internal rotation positions.
Reverse shoulder replacement
Reverse shoulder replacement can improve pain and overhead function, but patients may lose some internal and external rotation strength.
Knee motion milestones
Full extension remains desirable throughout rehab, while flexion should progressively improve.
Posterior hip precautions
Sitting is acceptable when the knee stays on its own side and does not cross the body midline.
Rehab and return to life
Replacement is surgery plus recovery.
Implants matter, but the recovery plan matters too. Therapy, swelling control, wound care, walking progression, motion goals, and realistic activity expectations are all part of the operation’s success.
- Knee replacement recovery emphasizes extension, bending, swelling control, and walking mechanics.
- Shoulder replacement recovery emphasizes safe motion, function, and respecting strength limitations.
- Hip replacement recovery emphasizes safe mobility and long-term awareness of dislocation-risk positions.
Two-sided arthritis
Do you replace both sides at the same time?
Dr. Barnes does not routinely replace both sides at the same time. His preference is for one side to heal for about 3 months before performing the other side.
This approach allows the first side to become a more reliable support leg and helps keep recovery more manageable.
Other common practical questions
- Airport cards: Dr. Barnes does not give replacement ID cards for airports. TSA generally does not rely on them and will screen based on the surgical scar and scanner findings.
- Dental/procedure antibiotics: antibiotics are recommended after joint replacement for procedures larger than a routine teeth cleaning.
- Driving: driving depends on safety, reaction time, medication use, and whether your stage of rehab could affect emergency maneuvering.
When can I drive after joint replacement?
Driving is not determined by a fixed date alone. Dr. Barnes asks patients to think through two practical tests:
- If a child ran into the street, could you safely perform a sudden life-saving maneuver?
- If you were involved in a collision and your recovery was questioned, would your hip, knee, or shoulder condition affect the case?
If either answer is concerning, you are not ready to drive yet. Driving also depends on the side of surgery, use of narcotic pain medication, strength, coordination, and reaction time.
Joint replacement FAQs
Practical answers for common arthroplasty questions.
How do I know if I am ready for joint replacement?
You may be ready when pain, stiffness, and loss of function are affecting daily life and nonsurgical treatment no longer gives acceptable relief.
Is joint replacement always inpatient?
No. Approximately 95% of Dr. Barnes’ joint replacements are outpatient when the patient, procedure, and support situation are appropriate.
Will I be pain free?
No surgeon can responsibly guarantee a pain-free replacement. The goal is meaningful pain relief and improved function, and Dr. Barnes aims for the best result every time.
How long will I use a walker or cane?
Most hip and knee replacement patients use a walker for about 2 weeks, followed by a cane for about 4 more weeks.
When can I go in the pool, lake, bath, or hot tub?
No submerging underwater until about 30 days after surgery and the incision is appropriately healed.
Do you do both hips or both knees at once?
No. Dr. Barnes prefers the first side to heal for about 3 months before replacing the other side.
Is clicking or side-to-side play normal after knee replacement?
Some movement, clicking, or a different feel can occur because metal and high-density plastic feel different than native bone and cartilage. Concerns should still be evaluated if symptoms are painful, progressive, or associated with swelling or instability.
What are the knee range-of-motion goals?
A common goal is 0–90° at about 2 weeks and 0–120° by about 6–7 weeks. Full extension is desirable throughout the rehab process.
What precautions do you recommend after posterior hip replacement?
Dr. Barnes recommends long-term awareness of posterior hip precautions, especially avoiding deep flexion, crossing the knee across midline, and extreme internal rotation positions.
Do I need an airport card?
Dr. Barnes does not give airport identification cards for joint replacements. TSA generally does not rely on them and will screen based on standard security procedures.
Do I need antibiotics for dental work?
Antibiotics are recommended for invasive procedures larger than a routine teeth cleaning after joint replacement.
What should I know about reverse shoulder replacement?
Reverse shoulder replacement can improve pain and overhead function, but patients may lose some internal and external rotation strength.
Considering hip, knee, or shoulder replacement?
Schedule an evaluation in Lake Havasu City to review your symptoms, imaging, treatment options, and recovery expectations.