What is arthroplasty?

Replacement: Arthroplasty is defined as a joint replacement or resurfacing. For hips, knees and shoulders, it could involve partial replacement or complete replacement with metal and plastic. Resurfacing with metal or plastic is still an arthroplasty. In smaller joints such as fingers, thumbs, or toes, arthroplasty can also refer to replacing the joint with soft tissue or scar tissue.

Joint resurfacing : This is a surgical procedure intended to reduce pain and hopefully restore increased or improved range of motion by realigning or reconstructing a joint with the use of artificial metal, plactic, or ceramic parts on the joint surfaces or, removing the painful ends of the joint surfaces all together leaving a gap between the ends of the bones.

Joint modification: An arthroplasty is usually a replacement of a joint with metal and plastic. The most common arthroplasties are hip and knee replacements. In the thumb, the arthritic joint is usually replaced with soft tissue. There are replacements for most joints when they wear out.

Joint replacement: Joint replacement. Depending on the joint in question. Potentially in the hand or fingers and all the way down to the ankle or joints of the great toes.