Hip replacement is currently the most common orthopaedic operation, though patient satisfaction short- and long-term varies widely.

[5] Hip replacement surgery can be performed from three main directions, each with advantages and disadvantages The classical approach is the posterior, and requires dissection of the gluteus maximus and other large muscles of the back of the thigh to access the acetabulum.

The anterior approach accesses the hip joint from the front, with less large muscle dissection but due to the proximity of the femoral artery, corresponding vein, and main nerve bundle for the leg lying just medial to the acetabulum the surgeon must exercise caution and maintain suitable landmarks.

[9] Finger joint replacement is a relatively quick procedure of about 30 minutes, but requires several months of subsequent therapy.

[10] Post-operative therapy may consist of wearing a hand splint or performing exercises to improve function and pain.

[citation needed] A few days' hospitalization is followed by several weeks of protected function, healing and rehabilitation.

Early mobilisation of the person is thought to be the key to reducing the chances of complications[1] such as venous thromboembolism and Pneumonia.

[citation needed] Physiotherapy is used extensively to help people recover function after joint replacement surgery.

[citation needed] Titanium carbide has proved to be possible to use combined with sintered polycrystalline diamond surface (PCD), a superhard ceramic which promises to provide an improved, strong, long-wearing material for artificial joints.

PCD is formed from polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) through a process involving high pressures and temperatures.

[12] This means that people with nickel allergy or sensitivities to other metals are at risk for complications due to the chemicals in the device.

They are also made so that if a shard were to break off of one of the two ceramic components, they would be noticeable through x-rays during a check-up or inspection of the implant.

In such cases, especially when complicated by infection, a spacer may be used, which is a sturdy mass to provide some basic joint stability and mobility until a more permanent prosthesis is inserted.

[15] Stephen S. Hudack, a surgeon based in New York City, began animal testing with artificial joints in 1939.

[16] By 1948, he was at the New York Orthopedic Hospital (part of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center) and with funding from the Office of Naval Research, was replacing hip joints in humans.