Joint replacement also known as arthroplasty is a surgical process in which surgeons remove and replace the damaged or injured joint with an artificial joint. This artificial joint is called a prosthesis and can be of plastic, metal or ceramic. The artificial joint looks similar to a natural joint and moves just like it. 

There are different types of joint replacement surgery but the most common types are knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery. Most people who are candidates for this procedure undergo total joint replacement surgery. Only a few patients undergo partial joint replacement surgery. The recovery process for each patient varies and depends on the patient's lifestyle, age, replaced joint and type of procedure.

Need For Joint Replacement Surgery.
 

The surgeons will recommend arthroplasty if the person is having:
 

• Joint pain that hasn't gotten cured through medications, injections, physical therapy and bracing.

• Limited mobility and stiffness in joints make it difficult for them to do their daily physical activities.

• Inflammation in the muscles of the joints is not improved through medications.
  
  The above-mentioned symptoms can arise from the following conditions:
   

• Osteoarthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Hip fracture

• Hip dysplasia

• Avascular necrosis

• Different Types of Joint Replacement Surgery

• Arthroplasty can be done in any part of the body. This surgery can be done on the following joints:

• Hips

• Knees

• Shoulders

• Wrists

• Toes and fingers

• Ankles

• Elbows
  
  The surgeries performed on the above-mentioned joints are as follows:
   

• Hip replacement surgery - In this surgery, a prosthesis replaces the hip joint or a part of the hip. Through this replacement surgery, the femoral head and acetabulum are replaced. Hip fractures are also fixed. It is of two types, partial hip replacement and total hip replacement.

• Knee replacement surgery - In knee arthroplasty, surgeons remove the injured or damaged parts of the knee joint and replace them with plastic or metal parts. The types of knee arthroplasty are total knee replacement, Partial knee replacement, Kneecap replacement, Complex knee replacement, and Cartilage restoration.

• Shoulder replacement surgery - The prosthesis (artificial parts) replaces the damaged part of the shoulder joint in this surgery. This procedure destroys the source of dysfunction and pain. Different types of shoulder arthroplasty include resurfacing hemiarthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, stemless total shoulder arthroplasty, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty

• Wrist replacement surgery - In this arthroplasty, the injured parts of the wrist bones are replaced with artificial parts. The surgery improves the stability of the wrist bone. 

• Toes and fingers replacement surgery - The injured parts of the toe joints and finger joints are removed and are replaced with artificial components in this replacement surgery.

• Ankle replacement surgery - This surgery treats ankle arthritis. It helps in improving joint mobility and stability and reduces joint pain. In this arthroplasty, the injured parts of the ankles are replaced with metal or plastic parts.

• Elbow replacement surgery - In elbow arthroplasty, artificial joints replace the elbow bone. These joints are made from implants that are attached to the bones in the arm. These implants are held together by plastic and metal hinge. The surgery helps in restoring the motion of the elbow.