Joint replacement surgery replaces a damaged joint, such as the shoulder, hip or knee, with a new one. The surgery is usually performed by an orthopaedic surgeon. Sometimes, the surgeon will not remove the whole joint, but instead replaces or fix the damaged parts of the joint.
Replacing a joint can relieve pain and help patients move and feel better. Hips and knees are replaced most often. Other joints that can be replaced include the shoulders, fingers, ankles and elbows.1
1. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2011-07-28. URL:http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Joint_Replacement/default.asp. Accessed: 2011-07-28.