What does athroplasty mean?

• A. Surgical replacement of a joint
• B. Arthritis of the hip
• C. Inflammation of a joint
• D. Wasting away due to lack of use

Answer: (A)

The term "arthroplasty" specifically refers to the surgical procedure undertaken to replace or reconstruct a joint. This is commonly performed in cases where a joint has become severely damaged due to conditions such as arthritis, injury, or other degenerative diseases. The primary goal of arthroplasty is to relieve pain and restore function in the affected joint by replacing damaged surfaces with prosthetic materials or by repairing the joint structure itself.

Other options present terms that describe different conditions or procedures. One pertains to a specific form of joint disease (arthritis), another refers to inflammation in joints which does not imply surgery or repair, and the last describes a physiological condition that involves muscle atrophy due to disuse. None of these accurately define the surgical intervention that arthroplasty represents. Thus, understanding the precise meaning of "arthroplasty" as a surgical procedure underscores its significance in the treatment of joint problems.