Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that reconstructs or replaces a joint. It is most often performed to relieve pain and improve joint function in patients with arthritis or severe joint damage. During a joint replacement, damaged or diseased parts of a joint are removed and replaced with artificial components, which may be made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. The specific type of stent made depends on the joint being treated. Here are some common examples of joint replacement procedures:
- Total Hip Replacement: This procedure involves removing the damaged ball-and-socket joint of the hip and replacing it with a prosthetic joint made of metal and plastic.
- Total Knee Replacement: In this procedure, the damaged surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone in the knee joint are replaced with metal and plastic components.
- Total Shoulder Replacement: This involves replacing the damaged ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder with a prosthetic joint, typically made of metal and plastic.
- Total Elbow Replacement: This procedure is performed to replace the damaged surfaces of the elbow joint with artificial components, often made of metal and plastic.