Loma Linda University Orthopaedic Medical Group and Medical Center

About the Center for Joint Replacement

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from severe, disabling pain in their hips and knees caused by arthritis. The pain arises as a result of wear and damage to the cartilage which is the protective layer of tissue that provides a cushion between the bones to allow the joints to move smoothly. Over time even the simplest tasks--bending, lifting, getting up from a chair or taking an evening stroll--become a strain. Chronic joint pain interferes with the full enjoyment of life by limiting freedom of movement and reducing the ability to function independently. 

Fortunately there is hope. Advances in medical technology now make it possible for doctors to replace joints using safe and effective surgical procedures. 

Total joint replacement is one of the most extraordinary success stories in recent decades. Before total joint replacement was available, patients with severe arthritis of the hip or knee would become increasingly disabled, and ultimately housebound or dependent on crutches to walk. Today, however, total joint replacement procedures allow patients like this to regain or maintain their functional independence and significantly improve their quality of life. 

This technology, that safely replaces the worn out human hip, was first brought to the United States in the late 1960s by orthopaedic surgeons who had traveled to England to study the techniques developed by Sir John Charnley. Research on joint replacement in the 1970s led to the development of a functional knee replacement. Currently, research is focusing on developing better materials that will allow total joint replacement implants to last longer. 

Founded as a sanitarium in 1905, Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) has been dedicated to "making man whole." The Medical Center has continued to grow for the better part of a century, and has set high standards by combining the best professional staff with the most advanced technology. Today Loma Linda University Medical Center is a large tertiary care facility known worldwide for its advances in health care.

Orthopaedic services have been offered at LLUMC since the early 1960s and the orthopaedic department has subsequently developed into one of the nation's leading orthopaedic centers. By 1969, LLUMC had begun total joint replacement, as well as establishing the academic portion of the program. To continue to improve the care of total joint replacement patients, the Center for Joint Replacement (CJR) was created and opened in March of 1997. Patient satisfaction, since its opening, is significantly higher than the national average. The Peterson Tribology Research Laboratory, a lab where materials for hip and knee replacements are tested, has enhanced this program by offering patients the most recent research advances. In 1998, the orthopaedic department was listed by the US News and World Report as one of the top 50 centers in the nation. 

If you or someone you love is experiencing hip or knee pain, the program at the Center for Joint Replacement offers a path to healing. This specialized program addresses all of your needs--from extensive patient education to providing individualized follow-up care throughout recovery. Our commitment to quality, customer service, research, and individualized care assures our patients treatment that is both current and personalized. 

Contact us
To schedule an appointment*
(909) 558-2808

For more information 1 (800) 321-WALK (9255)
Email: CJR@ahs.llumc.edu

Address Loma Linda University Medical Center
Center for Joint Replacement
Loma Linda, CA 92354

*Please check with your insurance for specific coverage.