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A total joint replacement is a procedure in which the orthopaedic surgeon removes an arthritic or damaged joint, replacing it with an artificial joint called a prosthesis. The most common joint replacement surgeries are knee, hip and shoulder replacement.
Attached by thick tissue, the ends of two or more bones form a joint. These ends are covered with a smooth layer of cartilage, allowing movement without pain or friction. Additionally, every joint is surrounded by a fibrous tissue called a Joint capsule, which produces a fluid that reduces friction and joint wear. If the cartilage is damaged, the joint becomes stiff and painful.
The knee is made up of four main bones: the femur, tibia, fibula and patella. Each of these bones is covered with cartilage to decrease the frictional forces created by movement. The four main ligaments that provide the knee stability are the medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Each knee in the human body has two menisci, cartilages that act as shock absorbers and distribute weight between the bones.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, composed of the acetabulum (socket) and femoral head (ball). Ligaments that connect the ball and socket prevent excessive movement and dislocation, providing stability to the hip. The bone surfaces are covered by a cartilage that cushions the bone ends and enables easy movement.
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