Joint Replacement Surgery

Josh is an experienced arthroplasty surgeon with
specialised training from the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. He offers expert care in hip and knee replacements and revision surgeries. Whether you’re dealing with osteoarthritis or need a second opinion, Josh provides personalised solutions to ensure the best possible recovery.

Hip & knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common joint condition in which the cartilage in the joint gradually wears down. In the hip and knee joints, this leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. It often develops slowly and can make everyday employment and recreational activities challenging. While there’s no cure, treatments like medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and improve joint function. For some people, surgical options may need to be considered to relieve pain and restore mobility.

Indications that you should discuss your joint pain with Josh include;

  • Severe lifestyle limiting knee pain
  • Pain that awakens you or regularly disturbs your sleep
  • Pain that continues to affect your quality of life despite regular pain relief and lifestyle modification
  • If you have severe pain affecting work or your safety, please let Josh’s team know so we can prioritise your assessment/care accordingly.

How to get the best outcome from your arthroplasty surgery;
Josh’s experience and expertise will help you achieve your optimal outcome. Motivated and proactive patients achieve the best results.

  • Consider a prehabilitation program with a physiotherapist of your choice.
Staying active and maintaining/restoring muscle mass and coordination significantly help your post-operative goals.
  • Post-operative rehabilitation helps you optimise your post-operative recovery and helps recover the functional loss you may be unaware of due to the current pain & disability you have.
  • Stop or reduce smoking. Smoking has many health impacts. But immediately post-op, it’s essential your chest can recover from anaesthesia and also that your wounds heal as fast as possible to avoid complications like infection.

Physiotherapy teams Josh works with regularly include;

Josh is always looking to extend his rehabilitation networks. If you have a favourite physiotherapist with whom you’ve worked in the past, please let him know, and he will send a referral/letter of introduction for you.

Total Hip Joint replacement

A total hip joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial implant. This is often recommended for patients with severe hip arthritis or other joint issues that cause significant pain and limit movement. The surgery involves removing the worn-out parts of the hip joint and replacing them with metal, plastic, or ceramic components designed to mimic the hip’s natural function. With specialised training and extensive experience in hip replacements, Dr Kempthorne is dedicated to providing personalised expert treatment.

Total & unicompartmental knee replacement

Total Knee Arthroplasty (Conventional & MAKO Computer Navigated) involves replacing the damaged knee joint bone surfaces with an artificial implant to alleviate severe pain and restore function. This procedure is often recommended for patients who have exhausted non-operative pain relief and lifestyle modifications. The procedure removes damaged cartilage and bone and then inserts metal and plastic components replicating the natural knee joint, restoring function and lifestyle. Total knee arthroplasty is a significant event for the patient, and the best outcomes are achieved when the patient and family are proactive. Josh & his team will support and work with you through the surgery and recovery. Josh will also communicate directly with your rehabilitation team to work towards your optimal result.

Unicompartmental/Partial Knee Arthroplasty (Conventional & MAKO computer navigated) targets only the damaged part of the knee joint, preserving healthy bone and cartilage. This option is often suitable for patients with arthritis confined to a single knee compartment. It is often well tolerated and has significant advantages for certain patients. With his specialised training and extensive experience in knee arthroplasty, Dr Kempthorne is dedicated to providing personalised expert treatment.

Revision hip & knee arthroplasty

Although most patients have a long and happy experience with their joint replacements, some joints need revising for many reasons to ensure people can continue active, productive lifestyles. Finding the reason for this and the appropriate solutions takes time and experience. Revision arthroplasty is a subspecialty skill. With his additional training in revision arthroplasty surgery, Josh will work through your problem and towards a solution appropriate for you & your family. If you are unhappy with your joint and want a fresh opinion, Josh will be happy to see you. Please bring any information regarding your previous care; this can often help with your consultation.

General Orthopaedics

As an experienced orthopaedic surgeon who remains an active member of the Christchurch Acute Service, Josh has a breadth of experience in general orthopaedic conditions and procedures. Knee arthroscopy, carpal tunnel surgery, and metalware revision/removal are among the procedures Josh offers. If you don’t see your condition listed above, don’t hesitate to contact Josh’s team and discuss things further.