Etymed
arthroplasty
Definition
surgical repair or reconstruction of a joint
Clinical context
A 65-year-old woman with severe osteoarthritis of the hip presents with significant pain and functional limitation. Despite conservative management with physical therapy and analgesics, her symptoms persist. She undergoes total hip arthroplasty to replace the damaged joint surfaces. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the diseased femoral head and acetabulum, then implants prosthetic components to restore joint function.
Mnemonic
ARTHROplasty = ART of Joint Repair