Great advances have been made in joint replacement in the United States since the first hip was replaced in 1969. Improvements have been made in the materials and the surgical techniques used to install artificial joints.

Custom joints can be made using a mold that duplicates the original with a very high degree of accuracy.

The most common joints to be replaced are hips and knees. There is ongoing work on elbow and shoulder replacement, but some joint problems are still treated by surgically removing the joint in question or by reassembling the joint from smaller parts.

Seventy percent of replacements are performed because arthritis has caused the joint to stiffen and become painful to the point where normal daily activities are no longer possible. Joint replacement is appropriate if the joint doesn't respond to conservative treatment such as medication, weight loss, restricting activity and canes.

Patients...