Joint Replacement in Northern Michigan: Hip, Knee, Shoulder and Ankle
Great Lakes Orthopaedic Center | Traverse City · Petoskey · Gaylord · Cadillac · Kalkaska
When arthritis or an old injury makes every step, stair or night’s sleep painful, joint replacement can help you move again. At Great Lakes Orthopaedic Center, board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons perform hip, knee, shoulder and ankle replacement, with care offered close to home through five Northern Michigan offices.
5 Locations
Traverse City - Gaylord - Petoskey - Kalkaska - Cadillac
What is Joint Replacement?
Joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, removes the damaged cartilage and bone of a worn joint and replaces them with metal, ceramic or medical-grade plastic implants. The new surfaces glide smoothly, which can relieve pain and restore motion. Surgeons may replace the whole joint (total joint replacement) or only the damaged part (partial replacement).
The most common reason for joint replacement is osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis and joint damage from past fractures can also lead to it.
Joint Replacement Procedures at Great Lakes Orthopaedic Center
Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement replaces the ball and socket of the hip. Our surgeons offer the muscle-sparing direct anterior approach, robotic-assisted hip replacement, and conversion of prior hip surgery to a total hip replacement.
Knee Replacement
Options include total knee replacement, partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement, robotic-assisted knee replacement, muscle-sparing knee replacement and personalized kinematic alignment. Your surgeon recommends an approach based on your anatomy, activity level and goals.
Shoulder Replacement
Anatomic total shoulder replacement restores the natural ball-and-socket shape. Reverse total shoulder replacement switches the ball and socket and is often used when the rotator cuff is badly damaged. Learn more on our Shoulder & Elbow page.
Ankle Replacement
For advanced ankle arthritis, total ankle replacement can relieve pain while keeping more motion than an ankle fusion.
Joint Revision Surgery
Implants can wear, loosen or fail over time. Revision surgery replaces some or all of the original components. See Total Joint & Total Joint Revision.
Signs It May Be Time to Consider Joint Replacement
- Joint pain that limits walking, climbing stairs, reaching or getting out of a chair
- Pain at rest or pain that wakes you at night
- Stiffness or swelling that keeps coming back
- A joint that looks or feels misshapen or unstable
- Little or no relief from physical therapy, medications, injections or bracing
- Giving up activities you enjoy because of your joint
Only an evaluation can tell whether replacement is right for you. It starts with your history, an exam and on-site imaging.
Nonsurgical Treatment Comes First
Many patients find relief without surgery. Depending on the joint, options may include physical therapy, activity changes, anti-inflammatory medication, joint injections (including ultrasound-guided viscosupplementation for the knee), custom orthotics and bracing. When these stop working, joint replacement becomes the next conversation.
What to Expect: From Consultation to Recovery
- Consultation and imaging. Your surgeon reviews your symptoms, examines the joint and reviews X-rays, often on the same day.
- A personalized plan. Together you choose the procedure and approach. Some plans use robotic or navigation-assisted technology.
- Preparing for surgery. Our team walks you through pre- and post-op instructions, insurance and payment options.
- Surgery day. Many hip and knee patients walk the same day, and appropriate candidates may go home the same day.
- Rehabilitation. Physical therapy begins within days and continues for several weeks.
- Follow-up. Scheduled visits track your healing and your return to daily activities.
Recovery differs from person to person and by joint. Your surgeon will give you a timeline for driving, work and exercise.
Understanding the Risks
Joint replacement is a common, well-established surgery, but like any operation it carries risks. These include infection, blood clots, bleeding, stiffness, nerve or blood vessel injury, fracture, dislocation, implant wear or loosening, persistent pain and the possible need for revision surgery. Your surgeon will review the risks that apply to you and the steps taken to reduce them.
Our Joint Replacement Surgeons
| Surgeon | Joint replacement focus | Care team |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Anderson, MD | Primary and revision hip and knee replacement, direct anterior hip, partial knee, robotic and navigation-assisted surgery. Adult reconstruction fellowship. | Petoskey & Gaylord |
| William Austin, MD | Robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement, anterior hip, partial knee, outpatient same-day surgery. Adult hip and knee reconstruction fellowship. | Traverse City & Cadillac |
| Nathanael Adams, MD | Primary and revision hip and knee replacement, direct anterior hip, partial knee. Adult reconstruction fellowship. | Traverse City & Cadillac |
| Brent M. Wiersema, DO, FAOAO | Hip and knee replacement including revisions, direct anterior hip. | Traverse City & Cadillac |
| Scott Nemec, DO, FAOAO | Hip, knee and ankle replacement, robotic-assisted total knee and hip, partial knee. | Petoskey & Gaylord |
| John R. Reineck, MD | Shoulder replacement, complex reconstruction and revision. Shoulder fellowship. | Traverse City & Cadillac |
| Kyle Hazelwood, MD | Total and reverse total shoulder replacement, robotic total and partial knee. | Petoskey & Gaylord |
| Thomas Freeman, MD | Anatomic and reverse total shoulder replacement. | Traverse City & Cadillac |
| Andrew S. Boyce, DO, FAOAO | Total joint replacement, post-traumatic reconstruction. | Traverse City & Cadillac |
| Michael J. Peters II, DO | Total joint replacement. | Traverse City & Cadillac |
Not sure which surgeon is right for you? Call (231) 935-0900 or request an appointment and our team will match you with the right specialist and office.
Joint Replacement Care at Five Northern Michigan Offices
You don’t have to travel far for expert joint replacement care. Consultations, imaging and follow-up visits are available across our five offices.
Joint Replacement in Traverse City
Our main office serves Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie and Antrim counties. Patients can meet with a hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgeon, have imaging on site and start physical therapy in the same building.
- 4045 W. Royal Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
- (231) 935-0900 · Toll-free (800) 203-0044
- Joint replacement surgeons: William Austin, MD, Nathanael Adams, MD, Brent M. Wiersema, DO, FAOAO, John R. Reineck, MD, Thomas Freeman, MD, Andrew S. Boyce, DO, FAOAO, Michael J. Peters II, DO
- Related pages: Anterior Hip Replacement in Traverse City · Robotic Knee Replacement in Traverse City
Joint Replacement in Petoskey
Our Petoskey office serves Emmet, Charlevoix and Cheboygan counties and the Little Traverse Bay area.
- 2325 Summit Park Dr, Suite A, Petoskey, MI 49770
- (231) 758-8040
- Joint replacement surgeons: Joshua Anderson, MD, Scott Nemec, DO, FAOAO, Kyle Hazelwood, MD
Joint Replacement in Gaylord
Our Gaylord office serves Otsego, Crawford, Montmorency and northern Antrim counties.
- 1050 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735
- (989) 217-6991
- Joint replacement surgeons: Joshua Anderson, MD, Scott Nemec, DO, FAOAO, Kyle Hazelwood, MD
Joint Replacement in Cadillac
Our Cadillac office serves Wexford, Missaukee, Osceola and Lake counties.
- 1111 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI 49601
- (231) 396-8880
- Joint replacement surgeons: Nathanael Adams, MD
Joint Replacement in Kalkaska
Our Kalkaska office serves Kalkaska County and the surrounding communities.
- 419 South Coral Street, Kalkaska, MI 49646
- (231) 258-7749
Frequently Asked Questions About Joint Replacement in Northern Michigan
Patient Resources
Take the Next Step Toward Moving Without Pain
Joint pain doesn’t have to set your limits. Schedule a consultation at any of our five Northern Michigan offices, and we’ll match you with the right joint replacement surgeon.
This page is for general education and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Results and recovery vary. Talk with your surgeon about your condition and treatment options.