Joint Replacement

Total Hip Replacement
A hip joint consists of two bones - the femoral head (the ball) and the acetabulum (the socket). Usually the joint is well lubricated and the one bone can slide against the other bone with minimal friction. However, with diseased hips, the cartilage covering the surface of the bone is worn away and we now have a situation in which the bones are rubbing against each other, causing pain and limiting movement. Joints can be destroyed for a variety of reasons, but arthritis is the most common. Total Hip Replacement is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of the diseased bone and the reconstruction of the anatomy with an artificial joint called a total hip prosthesis. The components of the prosthesis are designed to act like the normal joint. There is a femoral stem - a metal component that is placed into the thigh bone, and an acetabular cup- a plastic and metal component that is placed where the socket was. For more information download our Total Hip Replacement booklet. 

View animation video of the Hip Replacement.

Total Knee Replacement
Total Knee Replacementis a surgical procedure which involves the replacement of the worn-out parts of the knee with an artificial joint. A total knee replacement implies that everything about the joint is being replaced - which isn't true. What is actually being done is just a resurfacing of the bones of the joint. The prosthesis that is used is made up of plastic and metal and is placed on the joint surface of each bone. Most of the ligaments and all of the tendons remain intact. This allows the bones to glide against each other and allow the knee to bend and move without pain.

View animation video of the Knee Replacement.

For more information download our Total Knee Replacement booklet.

For more information and interactive videos about osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, and joint replacements, please visit http://www.gentiva.com/HealthEducationCenter/ and http://www.orthoinfo.org/.