THE PATH
to an active lifestyle takes many twists,
turns and bends. To successfully navigate that path, you
rely on your knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and other
joints.
But the joints that enable you to move can break down
for many reasons, including arthritis, injury, or even
simple wear and tear. Damaged joints can cause pain and
put your independence and activity in jeopardy.
When joint problems limit mobility and hinder your
lifestyle—and no other treatment seems to help—your
doctor may recommend total joint replacement surgery.
A new joint
A joint is formed where two or more bones come
together. For example, your knee joint is formed by your
lower leg bone and thighbone. Your hip is a ball-and-
socket joint—the ball is the upper end of the thighbone
and the socket is part of your pelvis.
A layer of cartilage covers the bone ends of
a joint. Normal cartilage allows your joints
to move without friction. But when they are
damaged or diseased, joints can become sti
and painful.
In total joint replacement surgery, the
damaged joint is removed and replaced
with an arti cial joint. Materials used
in joint replacement—such as stainless
steel and durable, wear-resistant
plastic—are designed to allow your new
joint to move like a normal joint, according
to the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS).
Joints that can be replaced include
the shoulder, nger, ankle and elbow,
according to the National Institutes of
Health (NIH). But the most com-
monly replaced joints are hips and
knees.
In knee replacement, damaged
areas of thighbone, shinbone and
Total joint replacement can help
restore your active lifestyle
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