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What is Joint Replacement?

Total Knee Replacement
Total Knee Replacement

Joint Replacement

There are approximately 800,000 hip and knee replacements performed every year in the United States.1 The technique of joint replacement typically uses metal and plastic implants to replace the damaged sections of bone and joint cartilage. The joint itself is not replaced, only the damaged bone and cartilage surfaces.

Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement replaces damaged cartilage and bone with an artificial surface. The replacement implants include a metal alloy on the end of the femur (thighbone) and polyethylene (plastic) on the tibia (shinbone) and patella (kneecap). The implants create a new, smoothly functioning joint that prevents painful bone-on-bone contact.

  1. DeFrances CJ, Hall MJ, Podgornik MN: "2006 National Hospital Discharge Survey. Advance data from vital and health statistics," No. 359, Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2008.
If you have questions regarding Signature™ Personalized Patient Care, please speak with an orthopedic surgeon. Biomet is a manufacturer of orthopedic implants and does not practice medicine. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine what treatment is appropriate. Individual results of total joint replacement may vary. The life of any implant will depend on your weight, age, activity level, and other factors. For more information on risks, warnings, and possible adverse effects, see the Patient Risk Information section found within Biomet.com. Always ask your doctor if you have any questions regarding your particular condition or treatment options.

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