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Types of Artificial Joints

What an artificial joint is made from depends on the movement of the natural joint that it is replacing. It is important that the replacement joint be able to both do the same job as the original part and be accepted by the body without causing secondary complications. Surprisingly, there are several materials that fit the bill and are used to create different types of joints. Arthroplastic replacement options are available for hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, ankles and toes.

  1. Metal and Polyethylene

    • There was a time when all replacement joints were created out of surgical metals like steel, titanium and cobalt. As advances are made in joint replacement technology, this becomes less true. It is still largely preferred for parts of wrist, and knee replacements, but is seldom used in exclusion, because it is difficult to join to the bone. The plastic used in joints, polyethylene, is both hard and smooth. Pieces of the artificial joint made from this material can easily slide against one another, creating smooth movement in the new joint. These two materials are often used in combination to create the best possible artificial joints, relying on the metal for strength, and the plastic for joining to the bone. This can allow for cementless replacements, which are both more natural and less invasive than other methods.

    Ceramic or Oxidized zirconium

    • This material is primarily used for hip replacement. It is not considered appropriate for the knee because it is not hard enough to withstand the combined stress of both movement and weight on such a small area. This material is smooth and often does not need the joint adjustments that are required when using other materials.

    Zirconium

    • Zirconium is a new material that is hard like metal on the inside and smooth like ceramic on the outside. As its uses are perfected it will likely become the primary material for joint replacement. This material is less damaged by normal wear and tear, its use would nearly double the amount of time a patient can go between replacements.

    Silicone

    • This was once the only material from which finger joint replacements could be constructed. It is extremely flexible, and so allowed for all the movement that we expect from fingers. However it could not be attached to the bone, and so was subject to certain complications. As plastic joints are improved, it is expected that plastic finger joints will completely replace silicone.

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