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Get to Know Theodore P. Firestone MD, F.A.C.S.

Total Hip & Knee Replacement Minimally Invasive Anterior Approach & Revision Surgery

Dr. Theodore P. Firestone is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in anterior hip replacements and minimally-invasive knee replacements. Dr. Firestone is the Director of hip replacement surgery at the Scottsdale Orthopedic Institute located on the campus of Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak.

Dr. Firestone moved to the Valley in 1990 after completing his fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Firestone established The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale in September of 2006.

Dr. Firestone is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Arthroplasty since 1990. He has presented original research at national meetings and is published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the foremost publication of orthopedic surgery worldwide. Dr. Firestone was also featured on the Emmy award-winning PBS show, The Latest Procedure – Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery.  

Dr. Firestone has been listed in Phoenix Magazines TOP DOCs for eleven consecutive years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017

A Message From Dr. Firestone & The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale

Since establishing the Center in September of 2006, my goal as an orthopedic surgeon has been to provide patients with first-rate state-of-the-art hip replacement and knee replacement surgical care in a setting that’s second to none. My office staff constantly gets rave reviews from patients for their availability, efficiency and friendliness. In an impersonal medical world of automated phones, paperwork and loss of identity we’re the exception.  Hip replacement and knee replacement is often our focus, but we provide a variety or orthopedic services.  We are excited to talk to you and become your orthopedic doctor.

As a board certified orthopedic surgeon, I perform all my surgery at Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak. I believe it is the top hospital in the Valley for in-patient care. As Director of the Joint Replacement Program, I have worked closely with the administration and other surgeons in establishing a dedicated program. As your orthopedist, I feel confident in telling patients that in all areas: infection prevention, anesthesia care, general satisfaction, etc. and I will compare our results to anywhere in the country.

I performed the first Anterior Hip replacement surgery at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea in June of 2008. I adopted this technique because, in my opinion, it is truly the “absolute best” way to perform a total hip replacement. The technique was originally developed in France by pelvic trauma surgeons. Dr Matta of Los Angeles has pioneered the technique in this country and helped develop a special table to facilitate the approach. The technique is the least invasive way to perform total hip replacement in that the muscles are spread rather than split. Patients have less pain and less post-operative precautions. An independent orthopedic study by the Physical Therapy Department at Scottsdale Hospital showed that patients undergoing Anterior Hip Replacement left the hospital a full day earlier than patients undergoing the more conventional posterior approach.

After performing over 1,500 of these procedures, I have found that component positioning and leg length are more accurately achieved with the approach. The technique is technically demanding and requires special training as well as the use of a special table.  I encourage people to watch the PBS special, The Latest Procedure – Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery (click here to watch video).

I was extremely honored to have Dr. Edward Dietrich, world-renowned cardiac surgeon, say this about his experience:

Throughout my career as a heart and vascular surgeon, I have always pursued innovation. Advances in technology have made procedures less invasive, allowing patients an easier recovery and a faster return to normal activity. When I was ready for my hip to be replaced, my research led me to select the anterior hip replacement technique and Dr. Ted Firestone at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale. Six hours after my surgery, I walked the full circle around the orthopedic floor and less than 2 weeks later was back in my own operating room at the Arizona Heart Hospital. When I look back at my experience with my other hip replacement ten years earlier, there is simply no comparison.     -Dr. Edward Dietrich

After looking at our website, I encourage you to give the office a call with any questions. We look forward to speaking with you.

Theodore P. Firestone, M.D.