Joint Replacement Surgery
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Steven L. Coker, M.D. |
Hip joint and knee joint replacements are helping
people of all ages live pain- free, active lives.
Joints are formed by the ends of two or more bones
connected by tissue called cartilage. Healthy cartilage
serves as a protective cushion, allowing smooth,
low-friction movement of the joint. If the cartilage
becomes damaged by disease or injury, the tissues around
the joint become inflamed, causing pain. With time, the
cartilage wears away, allowing the rough edges of bone
to rub against each other, causing more pain.
When only some of the joint is damaged, a surgeon may be able to
repair or replace just the damaged parts. When the entire joint is
damaged, a total joint replacement is done. To replace a total hip or
knee joint, a surgeon removes the diseased or damaged parts and inserts
artificial parts, called prostheses or implants.
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