2. Osteoarticular prostheses

Osteoarticular prostheses are becoming increasingly popular, enabling the restoration of a wide range of joints. Hip prostheses were the first to be implanted, followed by knee, wrist, elbow, ankle, shoulder and trapeziometacarpal joint prostheses.

In this section, we will confine ourselves to total hip and knee replacements. The most frequent indications for hip prostheses are osteoarthritis or cartilage wear, and femoral neck fractures associated with bone fragility due, for example, to osteoporosis. Knee prostheses are most commonly implanted for pain caused by osteoarthritis.