Joint Replacement Surgery

You may be at the point where the only option to relieve your pain and to restore your mobility is to have joint replacement surgery. Also known as arthroplasty, joint replacement surgery involves the removal of an arthritic or diseased bone/joint surface and replacing it with an artificial implant.

At Bronson, you’ll be comforted to know that we are the largest and the only team of orthopedic surgeons in southwest Michigan. We have expertise and qualifications to perform joint replacement surgery on the ankle, elbow, finger, hip, knee and shoulder. In addition to the surgeons, the orthopedic team also includes advanced practice practitioners, nurses, orthopedic nurse navigators, physical therapists and staff. They are all dedicated to help you achieve a safe recovery and the best possible outcome.

The team will create a treatment plan just for you. This allows you to be involved so you know what to expect every step of the way. For example, your orthopedic nurse navigator will help answer any questions that you and your family may have. They will help explain what to expect before and after surgery, and what you can do to prepare for care after surgery.

Your surgeon will determine the best innovative surgical technique to use. The type of implant, placement and proper alignment is critical to the best possible outcome. And your surgery will be performed in a state-of-the-art operating room that is staffed with a dedicated nursing care unit.

After surgery, you’ll enjoy having a private room while you recover. We make every effort to minimize your hospital stay so you can return home safely. If you should need physical therapy, Bronson offers convenient locations in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Paw Paw and South Haven. Our goal is to safely return you to the things you enjoy!

Ankle joint replacement surgery

You may have learned you need ankle joint replacement surgery because you either have a diseased or damaged ankle joint. Your best solution for recovery from your pain and loss of mobility is to have the ankle joint replaced with an artificial implant.

• Robert R. Gorman III, MD, is only one of a handful of orthopedic surgeons in the state of Michigan trained and qualified to perform this surgery.
• This surgery is performed at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Elbow joint replacement surgery

If you have a diseased or damaged elbow joint, and treatment options have not helped relieve the pain or given back your mobility, there are other options. The next step is to have the elbow joint replaced with an artificial implant.

• Jeffrey King, MD, is the only orthopedic surgeon qualified to perform this surgery in southwest Michigan. Dr. King received additional training in elbow joint replacement surgery from the prestigious Mayo Clinic.
• This surgery is performed at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Finger joint replacement surgery

Bronson is proud to offer finger joint replacement surgery to our patients. We are one of a few healthcare facilities in this part of Michigan to offer this surgery.

• Mayron Lichterman, DO, performs this surgery and recently completed additional training in hand and microsurgery at the Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery at the University of Louisville.
• This surgery is performed at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo

Hip and knee joint replacement surgery

You may be at the point that you need to have a hip or a knee joint replaced. The hip and knee joint replacement team at Bronson is the largest team in southwest Michigan.

Our hip and knee joint replacement surgeons use some of the most advanced technologies available, including computerized navigation and robotic-assisted surgery techniques. They have expertise in total and partial knee joint replacement surgery, as well as total hip replacement surgery using the anterior, lateral or posterior approach.

• Anterior hip replacement is a surgical method to replace a worn or arthritic hip joint with an artificial implant. The surgeon gains access to the damaged hip joint through a cut that is made on the front side. The surgeon makes a smaller incision and is able to move the muscles aside rather than cutting through them.
• Posterior approach to hip replacement is a surgical method to replace a worn or arthritic hip joint with an artificial implant. The surgeon makes an incision behind the hip or buttocks to get to the joint area.
• Lateral approach to hip replacement is a surgical method to replace a worn or arthritic hip with an artificial implant. The surgeon makes an incision at the side of the hip to get to the joint area.
• Hip resurfacing is also available. Your surgeon will determine if this is the best option for you.
• Partial knee joint replacement is also referred to as unicompartmental knee replacement and is a less invasive surgery for patients who have more limited arthritis in their knee joint. The surgery involves a smaller incision to only remove the damaged cartilage in one part of the joint and replace it with an implant. This surgery can be done with robotic-assisted technology
• Total knee joint replacement also referred to as total knee arthroplasty, is suited for patients with advanced arthritis or damage to more than two compartments of the knee. The damaged cartilage is removed from the upper and lower knee joint and is replaced with an artificial implant. This surgery can be done with robotic-assisted technology
• Knee revision is a robotic-assisted surgery done when a prior implant has failed, due to wear and tear over time

If you need hip joint replacement surgery, your Bronson surgeon will discuss which surgical option is right for you. If you need knee joint replacement, your surgeon will let you know if you need a total joint replacement or a partial replacement. Hip and knee joint replacement surgeries are performed at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Class

You, and someone you designate as a coach, will be required to complete the joint replacement class prior to surgery to help you understand what to expect before and after surgery. For the online joint class, complete this form and when finished, click the "Complete Class" button. Once you have completed this online class and quiz, you may be contacted by the nurse navigator to discuss your upcoming surgery and recovery. The orthopedic nurse navigator will also answer any questions you may have. At your appointment with your joint replacement surgeon, you will receive a guidebook that contains helpful information, including exercises and precautions that will help ensure a safe recovery.

Our team’s expectation is to give patients the best outcome possible. You are an integral part of the process!

Anterior direct approach to hip joint replacement surgery

If you need your hip joint replaced, one of the newer surgical options is the anterior direct approach. The surgeon gains access to the joint that needs to be replaced on the front side of the joint, making a small incision. The surgeon is able to move the muscles aside rather than cutting them. This usually results in less disruption. less pain and faster mobility so patients can return to activities faster. The average hospital stay after this surgery is 1.5 days or less.

• David Christ, MD, performs this surgery at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
• Christopher Betzle, MD, performs this surgery at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
• Phillip Dabrowski, DO, performs this surgery at Bronson Battle Creek.
• Mark Russell, DO, performs this surgery at Bronson Battle Creek.
• Mark Nikkel, DO, performs this surgery at Bronson LakeView Hospital.

Shoulder joint replacement surgery

If you are at the point where your shoulder pain is restricting almost everything you do, it may be time to take the next step. You may need to get the diseased or damaged shoulder joint replaced with an artificial implant. Take comfort in knowing our team has been trained to perform shoulder joint replacement surgery. This surgery can be performed in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.

• The surgeons at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo include Grant Bowman, MD, Steven Kokmeyer, MD, and Mark Sytsma, MD. You, and a family member or friend, will attend a joint replacement class. The class is designed to help you know what to expect before and after surgery. At that time you will also meet your orthopedic nurse navigator who will help coordinate your care and be available to answer any questions.
• The surgeons at Bronson Battle Creek include Joseph Burkhardt, DO, Barry Collins, DO, Phillip Dabrowski, DO, and Mark Russell, DO. You will be connected with the orthopedic nurse navigator who will help coordinate your care and be available to answer any questions.
• The surgeon at Bronson LakeView Hospital in Paw Paw includes Mark Nikkel, DO. You will be connected with the orthopedic nurse navigator who will help coordinate your care and be available to answer any questions.

Shoulder Joint Replacement Class

You, and someone you designate as a coach, will be required to complete the joint replacement class prior to surgery to help you understand what to expect before and after surgery. For the online joint class, complete this form and when finished, click the "Complete Class" button. Once you have completed this online class and quiz, you may be contacted by the nurse navigator to discuss your upcoming surgery and recovery. The orthopedic nurse navigator will also answer any questions you may have. At your appointment with your joint replacement surgeon, you will receive a guidebook that contains helpful information, including exercises and precautions that will help ensure a safe recovery.

Our team’s expectation is to give patients the best outcome possible. You are an integral part of the process!