What Is (Arthroplasty) Joint Replacement Surgery?

Joint replacement, a surgical procedure to remove and replace an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial joint (called a prosthesis), may be considered only after other treatment options have failed to provide adequate relief from pain and/or disability.

Currently in the United States, there are more than 550,000 joint replacement procedures performed each year - most often involving the hip and knee, with total joint replacement of the ankle, elbow, shoulder, and fingers performed less often.