Joint replacement surgery.

Joint replacement is the most effective healthcare measure in improving patient quality-of-life outcomes. More than 46000 hip and knee replacements were performed in Australia between July 2000 and July 2001. The need for joint replacements will increase as the population ages. More than 90% of hip and/or knee replacements survive for 10-15 years. Prosthesis selection needs to be tailored to each patient, although rationalisation of types of prosthesis used is required.