What is total hip or knee replacement?
This is a common procedure to replace a diseased hip or knee to allow the patient to return to a normal and active lifestyle. In total hip replacement, the ball of the femur is removed and a prosthetic stem is inserted into the femur. We remove the diseased bone from the hip socket, and an artificial socket and new prosthetic head is inserted. In total knee replacement, the ends of the thighbone and shinbone are removed and replaced with artificial parts. If needed, the underside of the kneecap is also removed and replaced. Usually, no more than one half inch of bone is removed from the tibia and femur.
