Dr. James T. Carson, MD

Dr. James T. Carson, Orthopedic Surgeon and Joint Replacement Specialist

Dr. James T. Carson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in adult hip and knee reconstruction. He provides surgical and non-surgical care for arthritis, joint deterioration, painful joint replacements, mobility problems, and other conditions affecting the bones and joints.

His primary clinical focus is hip and knee replacement, including complex revision surgery for patients whose previous joint replacement has become painful, loose, worn, unstable, or infected. Dr. Carson also evaluates general orthopedic concerns involving the shoulders, hands, wrists, feet, and ankles.

Patients comparing orthopedic physicians can also read about Dr. Matthew Siljander’s hip and knee reconstruction care.

Doctor Information

Name: Dr. James T. Carson, MD, MPH, FAAOS
Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery
Subspecialty: Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction
Board Certification: Orthopedic Surgery
Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Master’s Degree: Master of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Howard University Hospital
Fellowship: Joint Replacement Surgery, University of Chicago–Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital
Practice: CalvertHealth Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
Accepting New Patients: Current availability should be confirmed directly with the practice

About Dr. James T. Carson

Dr. Carson completed a Master of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health before earning his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

He continued his surgical education through an orthopedic surgery residency at Howard University Hospital. After residency, he completed advanced fellowship training in joint replacement at Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital, an institution affiliated with the University of Chicago.

This fellowship focused on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions causing severe hip and knee damage. It also prepared him to manage complicated cases involving failed, painful, unstable, or infected joint replacements.

Dr. Carson has performed thousands of joint replacement procedures and has significant experience with both primary operations and revision surgery. His approach begins with understanding how joint pain affects the patient’s movement, independence, work, sleep, and daily activities.

Treatment recommendations are based on examination findings, imaging, previous treatment, general health, and the patient’s personal recovery goals.

Hip and Knee Arthritis Care

Arthritis gradually damages the smooth cartilage that allows a joint to move comfortably. As cartilage becomes thinner, the bones may begin rubbing against each other, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.

Dr. Carson evaluates patients with symptoms such as:

• Hip or knee pain during walking
• Stiffness after sitting or resting
• Difficulty using stairs
• Reduced walking distance
• Pain that interrupts sleep
• Swelling around the knee
• Grinding or catching inside the joint
• Difficulty standing from a chair
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Joint pain that no longer responds to basic treatment

An orthopedic evaluation may include a physical examination and weight-bearing X-rays. Additional imaging may be requested when symptoms and standard X-rays do not provide enough information.

Early arthritis can often be managed without surgery. Joint replacement may become appropriate when damage is advanced and pain continues to limit everyday activity despite reasonable non-surgical treatment.

Non-Surgical Joint Treatment

Seeing an orthopedic surgeon does not automatically mean surgery will be recommended. Many patients can initially manage joint pain through conservative care.

Non-surgical treatment may include:

• Activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Home exercise
• Weight management
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Pain-relieving medication
• Walking aids
• Joint injections
• Strength and flexibility training
• Monitoring with follow-up examinations

The most suitable treatment depends on the cause of the pain, severity of the joint damage, age, activity level, medication history, and existing medical conditions.

Dr. Carson may recommend surgery when conservative treatment no longer provides enough relief or the joint has become severely damaged.

Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement is a surgical treatment for advanced knee damage. During the procedure, damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with artificial components designed to restore smoother movement.

The procedure may be considered when a patient has:

• Severe knee arthritis
• Persistent pain during normal activity
• Significant joint stiffness
• Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
• Knee deformity
• Pain that affects sleep
• Limited benefit from medication or injections
• Reduced independence because of knee symptoms

Before surgery, Dr. Carson reviews the patient’s X-rays, medical history, symptoms, activity goals, and previous treatments.

Recovery generally involves pain control, early movement, physical therapy, and a gradual increase in walking and daily activity. The pace of recovery differs between patients.

Partial Knee Replacement

Some patients have arthritis limited to one section of the knee. In suitable cases, partial knee replacement may be considered instead of replacing the entire joint.

This procedure preserves the healthy portions of the knee while replacing the damaged area.

A partial replacement may be appropriate when:

• Arthritis is limited to one knee compartment
• The knee ligaments remain functional
• Joint damage has not spread throughout the knee
• Symptoms match the location of the damage
• The patient meets the medical and anatomical requirements

Imaging and physical examination help determine whether partial or total knee replacement is the more appropriate option.

Total Hip Replacement

Hip replacement may help patients with severe arthritis, bone damage, or another condition causing persistent hip pain and restricted movement.

During the procedure, damaged parts of the hip joint are replaced with artificial components.

Patients may be evaluated for hip replacement when they experience:

• Groin or hip pain
• Difficulty walking
• Pain when putting on shoes or socks
• Reduced hip movement
• Difficulty entering or leaving a vehicle
• Pain at night
• Stiffness after rest
• Limited benefit from non-surgical care

The decision to proceed with surgery is based on the degree of damage, effect on daily life, general health, and expected benefits of treatment.

Patients interested in another physician focused on joint reconstruction can review Dr. Hariharan’s joint replacement profile.

Revision Joint Replacement

A joint replacement may function well for many years, but some implants eventually require further surgery. Revision joint replacement involves removing or replacing part or all of an earlier artificial joint.

Dr. Carson has experience treating complex problems involving previous hip and knee replacements.

Revision surgery may be needed because of:

• Implant loosening
• Wear of artificial components
• Joint instability
• Repeated dislocation
• Infection around the implant
• Fracture near the replacement
• Incorrect implant positioning
• Persistent unexplained pain
• Bone loss around the joint
• Stiffness that severely limits movement

Revision procedures are often more complicated than first-time joint replacements. The surgeon may need to address scar tissue, bone loss, infection, damaged ligaments, or difficult-to-remove components.

A detailed evaluation may include X-rays, blood tests, joint fluid analysis, CT imaging, or other investigations.

Infected Joint Replacement Care

Infection around a hip or knee replacement is a serious complication that requires careful evaluation. Symptoms may develop soon after surgery or several years later.

Possible warning signs include:

• Increasing joint pain
• Swelling or warmth
• Wound drainage
• Redness around the surgical area
• Fever
• New stiffness
• Reduced ability to walk
• Pain after a previously successful recovery

Testing may include inflammatory blood markers, imaging, and collection of joint fluid for laboratory analysis.

Treatment depends on the timing of the infection, the organism involved, implant stability, bone condition, and the patient’s overall health. Some infections can be treated with surgical cleaning and antibiotics, while others require removal and later replacement of the implant.

Failed or Painful Joint Replacements

Pain after joint replacement does not always mean the implant has failed. Discomfort may come from infection, loosening, instability, soft-tissue problems, nerve irritation, the spine, or another nearby structure.

Dr. Carson may review:

• When the pain began
• Whether the original surgery relieved symptoms
• The exact location of discomfort
• Changes in joint movement
• Swelling or instability
• Previous surgical records
• Implant information
• Laboratory results
• Current and earlier imaging

Identifying the cause is important before another operation is considered. Revision surgery may not help when the pain originates outside the replaced joint.

General Orthopedic Care

Although Dr. Carson focuses strongly on hip and knee reconstruction, he also evaluates general orthopedic concerns affecting other areas of the musculoskeletal system.

These may include conditions involving:

• Shoulders
• Hands and wrists
• Feet and ankles
• Bones and joints
• Tendons and ligaments
• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Overuse injuries
• Reduced mobility
• Persistent pain after injury

Treatment may include medication, bracing, physical therapy, injections, rehabilitation, or referral to another subspecialist when focused care is needed.

Patients with sports-related shoulder or knee concerns may also read about Dr. Sundeep S. Saini’s orthopedic sports medicine services.

Joint Replacement Consultation

A joint replacement consultation gives patients an opportunity to understand their diagnosis and compare available treatment options.

During the appointment, Dr. Carson may:

• Review the patient’s symptoms
• Examine joint movement and stability
• Assess walking and balance
• Review X-rays and other imaging
• Discuss earlier treatment
• Explain surgical and non-surgical choices
• Review expected benefits and limitations
• Discuss possible complications
• Explain rehabilitation requirements
• Consider the patient’s personal goals

Patients should understand that joint replacement is intended to reduce pain and improve function. No operation can guarantee that a joint will feel completely natural or restore every previous activity.

Preparing for Joint Replacement Surgery

Patients approved for surgery may need several medical and practical preparations before the procedure.

Preoperative planning may include:

• Blood tests
• Heart testing when appropriate
• Medication review
• Dental or infection assessment
• Management of diabetes
• Smoking cessation
• Weight and nutrition planning
• Physical preparation
• Home-safety arrangements
• Transportation after surgery
• Planning for help during early recovery

Patients should provide a complete list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and allergies.

Blood thinners and certain other medicines may require special instructions. Patients should not stop medication unless directed by the surgeon or prescribing physician.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery after hip or knee replacement requires active participation from the patient. Rehabilitation helps improve movement, strength, balance, and confidence while protecting the healing joint.

A recovery plan may involve:

• Early walking with assistance
• Pain and swelling management
• Physical therapy
• Home exercises
• Temporary use of a walker or cane
• Wound care
• Blood-clot prevention
• Gradual return to normal activities
• Follow-up X-rays
• Long-term implant monitoring

Recovery varies according to age, health, surgical complexity, physical condition, and whether the procedure is a first-time or revision replacement.

Revision surgery often requires a longer and more cautious recovery than primary joint replacement.

Preventing Complications

Patients receive instructions designed to lower the risk of infection, blood clots, falls, dislocation, and delayed healing.

Recommended steps may include:

• Taking medication as directed
• Keeping the incision clean
• Following movement precautions
• Completing prescribed exercises
• Using walking aids correctly
• Attending follow-up visits
• Reporting concerning symptoms
• Controlling blood sugar
• Avoiding tobacco
• Following activity restrictions

Patients should contact their surgical team when they notice unexpected wound changes, increasing pain, persistent fever, new instability, or another concerning change during recovery.

Patient-Centered Orthopedic Treatment

Dr. Carson focuses on listening to each patient’s concerns and understanding what they hope to regain through treatment. For one patient, the main goal may be walking comfortably. For another, it may be returning to work, travelling, exercising, or caring for family members.

He explains available options and works with patients to select a plan based on their diagnosis, health, lifestyle, and personal priorities.

Patients considering joint replacement should confirm current appointment availability, accepted insurance plans, referral requirements, surgical locations, and telemedicine eligibility directly with the practice.