Joint replacement for arthritis.
BACKGROUND
Joint replacement is most commonly performed at the hip and knee for osteoarthritis. It is also possible to replace joints such as: the shoulder, elbow, metacarpophalangeal joints and ankle, but usually only when the joint has been destroyed by rheumatoid arthritis. While the main benefit of joint replacement is the resolution of arthritic pain, range of movement and function can also be improved and the length of the limb or alignment of the joint may be restored.


OBJECTIVE
In this article we address the indications for joint replacement, and how the patient is assessed. The results of joint replacements of varying joints are considered and we discuss some topical current concepts in joint replacement surgery.
Brewster
N
N
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA.
Lewis
P
P
D001168:Arthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011474:Prosthesis Design