Joint Preservation & Replacement

Paley Institute Joint Preservation & Replacement Center

Welcome to the Joint Preservation & Replacement Center at the Paley Institute, lead by Dr. Tom Minas . His practice focuses on the conservative and surgical management of hip and knee conditions. He uses the latest techniques, such as direct anterior hip replacement and patient-customized knee surgery, to provide faster recovery time with less pain. Here you will find information on joint preservation and replacement techniques designed to reconstruct joint surfaces, preserve function, and improve quality of life. Paley Institute doctors have pioneered and improved on methods to preserve joints and delay the need for joint replacement as long as possible. Joint preservation aims to restore the joint without replacing it with a prosthetic by reconstructing the joint through:

Specialized Osteotomies
Distraction Techniques
Realignment

Dr. Barnhill works alongside Dr. Minas at the Joint Replacement Center in the West Palm Beach location. Dr. McVicker specializes in the sports medicine aspect of joint preservation, and Drs. Lamm, Quinnan, Feldman, Beleckas and Paley also have expertise in this field.

We have successfully performed joint preservation techniques for the hip, knee, and ankle. Operative treatments of the joint can be divided into two categories: preservation and replacement. Joint replacement surgery (i.e. a total knee replacement) replaces the joint with a prosthetic made of metal and plastic. Joint preservation, on the other hand, seeks to reconstruct the joint in order to delay the need for replacement surgery. At the Paley Institute we use an à la carte approach to treatment on a case-by-case basis and comprehensively addresses all of the elements of joint deformity. We follow the same principles of knee replacement surgery:

Balance the soft tissues

Realign the bones

We have received excellent results with joint preservation techniques, reliably prolonging the life of a joint by decades.

Joint preservation techniques have become less common as arthroplasty and joint replacement surgeries are increasingly performed in patients of younger ages and for milder cases. It is important to realize that joint replacement is akin to amputation. The joint is removed and replaced by a prosthesis. When it goes well, it is one of the wonders of surgery. When it fails or when an infection occurs, it is often a disaster. Osteotomy does not burn bridges, but joint replacement does. There is no going back after a joint replacement. Preservation techniques correct and modify the joint; replacement removes it completely. It is important to consider all the treatment options available when seeking intervention for joint pain.

At the Paley Institute, we have the most experience in both joint preservation and joint replacement techniques. We offer patients a customized solution that works for them.