Joint replacement

Joint replacement surgery is considered a last resort treatment option to relieve arthritis pain and restore function to the affected joint. More conservative treatment options are usually tried before surgery is recommended. Joint replacement surgery is recommended when pain is no longer well-controlled and joint damage significantly affects quality of life.

New implant materials and improved surgical techniques for joint replacement have been developed over the past three decades. While a prosthesis can be made of metal, or metal and plastic, it also can be cemented with a grout-like substance, non-cemented, or a combination of both to achieve fixation.