Mark W. Hanna, MD
James R. Roberson, MD
Department of Orthopaedics
Emory University School of Medicine, 
Atlanta, GA

• The indication for total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty is disabling pain with X-ray evidence of a damaged joint.

• Metal-on-polyethylene components are the most commonly used surfaces for arthroplasty today.
• In well-selected patients, the survival of the hip and knee arthroplasty at 15 years is 90% to 95%.

Total hip and knee arthroplasty are two of the most common procedures performed by orthopaedic surgeons today. More than 500,000 total joint replacements are performed each year (1). As the population grows older and the indications broaden with improved materials and techniques, the number of these procedures will continue to increase.