Joint arthroplasty is a term for any type of surgery to repair a joint, whether joint repair or total joint replacement surgery. These surgical treatments may be recommended for patients whose joints have been damaged due to injury or from a long history of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Undergoing joint arthroplasty can help many patients resume active, productive lives.
The type of arthroplasty recommended depends on the specific joint and its condition. Replacement surgery is often recommended for patients with severely damaged hip or knee joints in order to lessen pain and improve mobility. In this type of arthroplasty, the damaged joint is replaced with a prosthetic (artificial) joint made of metal, polyethylene, ceramics or a combination of materials. A repair procedure may be an alternative type of arthoplasty with less severe joint damage and might help delay or eliminate the need for replacement surgery.
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) provides innovative joint arthroplasty procedures delivered by our world-class orthopaedic program. Because of our expert, high-quality diagnosis and treatment, U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked our orthopaedic program as one of the best in the country. Our experienced orthopaedic surgery staff continually strives to raise the standards of care for joint arthroplasty by developing advanced surgical protocols and designing improved joint implants. Every year, hundreds of patients return to full, active lives thanks to the knee replacement and hip replacement surgeries provided by our skilled orthopaedic surgeons.
BWH offers many innovative joint arthroplasty techniques. In addition to surgical replacement of damaged hip and knee joints, we also provide:
In addition, BWH has a specialized Cartilage Repair Center that provides treatment for patients with cartilage damage or early arthritis in the knee.
Learn more about joint arthroplasty at BWH.
Patients seeking arthroplasty for repair or replacement of damaged joints can receive treatment at four locations in the greater Boston area. Our orthopaedic specialists provide expert, comprehensive care to patients with joint damage, while encouraging patients to actively participate in their care and recovery. The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is part of the BWH Orthopaedic & Arthritis Center of Excellence, where every year thousands of patients are treated by our specialists in orthopaedic surgery, physiatry, rheumatology, and rehabilitation who work together with dedicated nurses, physician assistants, and other professionals, to provide state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment.
At the BWH Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, our orthopaedic surgeons and researchers are at work developing innovative treatment options, including arthroplasty, for patients with bone and joint conditions. Our research approach is to take the findings from the latest basic and clinical studies and translate them into new treatment options for bone and joint health, including joint arthroplasty techniques. The focus of our research is acute and chronic orthopaedic and joint diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, problem fractures, sports injuries, bone cancers and metastases, spine diseases, osteoporosis, and skeletal aging.
Learn more about Joint Arthroplasty at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Find an expert Orthopaedic Surgeon for innovative treatment and compassionate care.
Learn how quality and patient safety are at the core of Brigham and Women's mission and vision.
Learn more about how U.S. News & World Report recognizes Brigham and Women's Hospital.
For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.
About BWH
