Joint Replacement

When joint pain begins to limit the activities you love — walking, climbing stairs, reaching overhead — joint replacement surgery may offer a path toward relief and a return to daily life. At Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington, our experienced physicians have been providing quality orthopedic care to residents of Arlington and patients throughout the DFW Metroplex since 2010.

As the only specialty hospital of its kind in the DFW Metroplex, we bring experienced orthopedic physicians close to home. Our 38-bed facility is designed exclusively around orthopedic and spine care, with dedicated surgical suites, rehabilitation services, and a care team focused on your recovery from day one.

Joint replacement surgery involves removing damaged or diseased bone and cartilage from a joint and replacing it with a prosthetic implant designed to restore movement and help reduce pain. While surgery is not the right choice for everyone, it may be considered when non-surgical treatments — such as physical therapy, medications, or injections — no longer address your needs. Our physicians work with each patient individually to evaluate all available treatment options and determine the approach that is right for them.

We offer joint replacement procedures for the hip, knee, and shoulder, supported by robotic-assisted surgical technology. Select a topic below to learn more.

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement — also called total hip arthroplasty — is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures in the United States. During the surgery, the damaged ball and socket of the hip joint are replaced with prosthetic components, which may help reduce pain and improve mobility.

Who May Benefit

Hip replacement may be considered for patients experiencing:

• Hip pain that persists at rest or at night

• Stiffness that limits the ability to move or lift the leg

• Inadequate pain relief from medications, physical therapy, or injections

• Hip damage caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or avascular necrosis

• A hip fracture or structural deformity affecting daily function

Surgical Approaches

Our physicians are experienced in several surgical techniques for hip replacement, including posterior, lateral, and anterior approaches. The appropriate approach depends on each patient’s anatomy, health history, and goals. Minimally invasive techniques may be an option for some patients and are associated with smaller incisions; your physician will discuss the options available to you.

Robotic-Assisted Option

Total hip replacement at Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington may be performed using the Mako SmartRobotics™ System, which uses a patient-specific 3D CT-based plan to help guide implant positioning during surgery. Ask your physician whether Mako-assisted hip replacement is an appropriate option for your situation.

Recovery

Most patients begin working with physical therapy within a day of surgery. A coordinated recovery program — including in-hospital rehabilitation and, when appropriate, outpatient or home therapy — is developed for each patient. Recovery timelines vary, and your care team will help set realistic expectations based on your individual situation.

Knee Replacement

Knee replacement — also referred to as total or partial knee arthroplasty — resurfaces the damaged portions of the knee joint with prosthetic implants. The goal of surgery is to address the source of pain and help restore a more comfortable range of motion.

Who May Benefit

Knee replacement may be considered for patients with:

• Persistent knee pain that interferes with everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of a chair

• Knee stiffness that limits range of motion

• Knee damage related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis

• Moderate-to-severe knee pain at rest, including at night

• A knee deformity, such as bowing in or out

Total vs. Partial Knee Replacement

Depending on the extent of damage, a total or partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement may be recommended. Total knee replacement involves resurfacing all compartments of the knee, while partial knee replacement addresses only the affected compartment, preserving more of the natural bone and tissue. Your physician will evaluate imaging and clinical findings to help determine which option is appropriate for you.

Robotic-Assisted Options

Knee replacement at Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington may be performed using either the Mako SmartRobotics™ System or the ROSA® Knee System, depending on the procedure and your physician’s recommendation. Both platforms support personalized surgical planning and are designed to help the surgeon achieve precise implant placement based on each patient’s individual anatomy. Ask your physician which robotic option, if any, may be appropriate for your knee replacement.

Recovery

Physical therapy begins soon after surgery and is an important part of knee replacement recovery. Regaining strength and range of motion takes time and commitment. Your care team will develop a personalized rehabilitation plan and support you through each phase of recovery.

Shoulder Replacement

While less common than hip or knee replacement, shoulder replacement surgery can be an effective treatment option for patients whose shoulder pain and loss of function have not improved with non-surgical care. The shoulder is a highly mobile ball-and-socket joint, and when its surfaces become damaged or worn, everyday tasks — such as reaching, lifting, or dressing — can become difficult.

Who May Benefit

Shoulder replacement may be considered for patients experiencing:

• Severe shoulder pain that limits daily activities

• Loss of shoulder motion or weakness

• Shoulder damage from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis

• Irreparable rotator cuff tears contributing to significant joint damage

• A severe shoulder fracture not amenable to other surgical repair

Types of Shoulder Replacement

Several types of shoulder replacement are available, including total shoulder arthroplasty, reverse shoulder arthroplasty, and partial (hemi) shoulder replacement. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty, in which the positions of the ball and socket are switched, may be recommended for patients with certain rotator cuff conditions. Your physician will recommend the most appropriate procedure based on your specific anatomy, diagnosis, and functional goals.

Robotic-Assisted Option

Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington offers the ROSA® Shoulder System for eligible patients undergoing shoulder replacement. The ROSA Shoulder is the first robotic surgical assistant designed specifically for shoulder replacement, providing surgeons with pre-operative virtual planning and intraoperative feedback to support precise implant placement. Your physician can discuss whether robotic-assisted shoulder replacement is a suitable option for you.

Recovery

Shoulder replacement recovery typically involves immobilization of the arm followed by a structured physical therapy program to help restore strength and range of motion. Full recovery may take several months, and adherence to the rehabilitation program is an important factor in outcomes. Your care team will guide you through each stage of your recovery.

Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement

Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington offers robotic-assisted surgery — a significant advancement in minimally invasive surgical capabilities. Robotic-assisted surgery is a proven technique in which a surgeon performs minimally invasive surgery using a computer console to control very small instruments and a high-resolution camera attached to robotic arms. Importantly, the robot does not operate independently — it is guided entirely by your surgeon throughout every step of the procedure.

The potential benefits of robotic-assisted joint replacement, compared to conventional techniques, may include more precise implant positioning tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy, reduced disruption to surrounding healthy bone and soft tissue, and support for a more consistent surgical outcome. Your physician will determine whether robotic-assisted surgery is appropriate for you based on your diagnosis, anatomy, and overall health.

Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington uses two robotic platforms for joint replacement procedures: the Mako SmartRobotics™ System by Stryker and the ROSA® System by Zimmer Biomet. Each is described below.

Mako SmartRobotics™ (Stryker) — Hip & Knee

The Mako SmartRobotics™ System is used to support total hip, total knee, and partial knee replacement procedures. Before surgery, a CT scan of the patient’s joint is used to generate a three-dimensional virtual model of their unique anatomy. Using this model, the surgeon creates a personalized surgical plan — including implant size, orientation, and alignment — prior to entering the operating room.

During the procedure, the surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm to remove damaged bone and cartilage. Mako’s AccuStop™ haptic technology creates a virtual boundary that provides tactile resistance, helping the surgeon stay within the area defined in the pre-operative plan. Real-time data is provided throughout the surgery, allowing the physician to assess joint movement and tension and make adjustments as needed. The surgical plan can also be modified intraoperatively if circumstances require it.

Mako is used at Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington for total hip replacement, total knee replacement, and partial knee replacement. Clinical studies have examined the use of robotic-arm-assisted surgery with the Mako platform in relation to implant positioning accuracy and early functional recovery; ask your physician if you would like to discuss the relevant research.

ROSA® Robotic Surgical Assistant (Zimmer Biomet) — Knee & Shoulder

ROSA® — which stands for Robotic Surgical Assistant — is a robotic platform developed by Zimmer Biomet. At Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington, ROSA is used to support knee and shoulder replacement procedures. The ROSA Knee System uses data collected before and during surgery to help the surgeon tailor implant placement to each patient’s individual anatomy. Rather than relying on a CT scan, ROSA Knee uses pre-operative X-rays and intraoperative data collection to build a picture of each patient’s unique anatomic landmarks, which the surgeon uses to personalize the surgical plan.

The ROSA® Shoulder System received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2024 and is the first robotic surgical assistant designed for shoulder replacement surgery. The system allows surgeons to virtually plan the procedure before any incisions are made, then provides live feedback during surgery — including the ability to validate bone resections and control implant positioning with a high degree of precision. Accurate placement of the glenoid and humeral components is a critical factor in shoulder replacement outcomes, and the ROSA Shoulder system is designed to help surgeons achieve reproducible alignment.

As with all robotic-assisted procedures at Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington, ROSA does not perform surgery or make clinical decisions autonomously. Your surgeon directs every aspect of the operation, with the robotic system serving as a precision tool in their hands.

Find the Right Doctor

If you are living with joint pain and want to explore your options, we encourage you to speak with a physician. Our care team at Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington is here to help you understand your treatment options and take the next step toward a more comfortable, active life.

To find an orthopedic physician and explore your joint replacement options, visit our Find the Right Doctor page to connect with a physician at Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington.