Joint replacements are performed to improve an individual's quality of life. The most common joint replacements include total knee replacement, total hip replacement, and shoulder joint replacement. The knee is the largest joint in the body and is essential for walking. The knee is made up of the lower end of the femur, the upper end of the tibia, and the kneecap, also known as the patella (“Most Common Types of Joint Replacement Surgery”). During a total knee replacement, the surgeon will remove damaged cartilage from the ends of the femur and tibia and replace them with mental components ("Most Common Types of Joint Replacement Surgery"). According to the “Most Common Types of Joint Replacement Surgery,” “a spacer is also placed between the metal components to allow the joint to slide smoothly.” The hip is also the largest ball-and-socket joint in the body. In a total hip replacement, the damaged part of the joint is removed and replaced with a piece of metal attached to the bony components. Just like in a knee replacement, a spacer is placed between the implants to help them glide smoothly (“Most Common Types of Joint Replacement Surgery”). The shoulder is also another example of a ball and socket joint. It is made up of three different bones: the arm bone or humerus,
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