John Irving

Orthopedist | Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery

9 Washington Avenue First Floor Hamden CT, 06518 Show map

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Dr. Irving is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, who specializes in Arthritis Surgery, Total Joint Replacement and all aspects of adult reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. His primary focus is on joint preservation and reconstruction for arthritic, degenerative and post-traumatic conditions. This includes Anterior Approach- Total Hip Replacement, Minimally Invasive Two-Incision Hip Replacement , Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement, Arthroscopy and Osteotomy. Dr. Irving's practice focuses on Anterior Approach- Total Hip Replacement, and minimally invasive surgical techniques for hip and knee replacements. These tissue sparing surgical techniques combine well proven, reliable hip and knee implants with less traumatic soft tissue dissection. Less muscle and tissue damage allow for a faster and more complete recovery and provides long lasting results. Dr. Irving graduated from the Tulane University School of Medicine in 1982, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He was awarded the Gold Scalpel Surgical Award by the Department of Surgery. In 1987, he completed a five-year residency program in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Irving has been an Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon in the New Haven area since 1987. He is an Attending Surgeon at Milford Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital, as well as Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the Yale University School of Medicine. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery certifies Dr. Irving. Among his professional affiliations, Dr. Irving is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and has been elected to The Society of Arthritic Joint Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Connecticut Magazine has designated him a “Top Doc” in their Orthopaedic category for the last several years. Dr. Irving is the Director of The Connecticut Joint Center at Milford Hospital in Milford, Connecticut since 2005 and they recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of this esteemed center in the Fall of 2015. Dr. Irving was born in New Haven and raised in Milford, graduating from Milford High School. He received a B.S. degree in Biology, cum laude from Northeastern University in Boston, where he was varsity member of the U.S. National Champion Crew in 1973 and Captain in 1975. Besides his family, his other interests include golf, scuba diving and other outdoor activities. Dr. Irving treats patients in our Milford and Hamden locations.

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John Irving

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My Answers

Do I need to worry?
Yes. Please check in with your primary care physician. Make sure your pain is adequately controlled as that can raise the BP level. Continue to monitor the blood pressure every couple of hours. READ MORE
Knee pain?
You might have ruptured a “bakers cyst”. This is A fluid filled sac that forms from some irritation in the knee. The most common reason is arthritis. It can also arise from meniscal Cartlidge tears. When this sac ruptures, it can be a knifelike sensation in the back of the knee that even can radiate down into the calf.Other considerations Include an acute tear of a meniscus Cartlidge but commonly that would have persistent pain and mechanical problems. Less likely is a form of a compression fracture that is sometimes seen in an arthritic knee. Again that would have more long lasting pain.Should have this evaluated. READ MORE
My mother is diagnosed with osteonecrosis. Is there a treatment for this condition?
Thank you for the question. Osteonecrosis implies a segment of dead bone within a bone. Though not specified, the most common bone affected is the femoral head or ball of the hip joint. Sometimes the cause is trauma, other causes include the use of steroids or prednisone. Sometimes osteonecrosis occurs in an arthritic hip. There are other causes, too, such as rare blood diseases, and even alcohol abuse. If the hip is the affected bone, for someone your mother’s age, the “cure” is a hip replacement. Of course, prior to considering surgery, patients should use mild analgesics such as Tylenol and/or Advil. We encourage the use of a cane or walker for safety. READ MORE
My knee grinds when I climb stairs. What can be done?
What you are experiencing, grinding or crunching in your knee without pain is a common symptom of chondromalacia or softening of the surface coating of the knee. It may be a precursor to arthritis. This condition may be improved with specific exercises, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, and weight loss if necessary. The grinding alone without pain or swelling is not an indication for surgery. READ MORE
I have chronic knee pain
Thank you for your question. A knee replacement is done when you have severe arthritis in your knee. This will cause pain, instability, and loss of knee motion. At your age, you will find your ability to participate in activities compromised. If you have exhausted all the non-surgical and non-total knee surgery that can be offered to you, consider a knee replacement. If you are in good health and not overweight, more likely than not, you will have a good result, that will last for 2 decades or more. Ultimately, consider a knee replacement when your knee problem is affecting your lifestyle, and you are not doing the things you want to do at your age. X-rays and an examination will confirm the diagnosis of arthritis. Your surgeon can discuss the operative procedure, risks and expected outcome. Patients your age can be very active, if they do the appropriate amount of post operative physical therapy and muscle strengthening. This might include golf, bowling, biking, hiking, even skiing. Dr Irving READ MORE