Surgical pathology of joint prostheses.

Joint arthroplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure that provides significant benefit to the patient. The prosthetic devices are composed of combinations of polyethylene, ceramics, metal alloys, bone cement, and silicone and are associated with complications as well as eventual failure from wear and corrosion. The pathologic findings of these processes are complex and require accurate interpretation to help guide therapy and identify the underlying biological mechanisms.