arthroplasty: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Medical
Quick answer
What does “arthroplasty” mean?
A surgical procedure to reconstruct or replace a joint.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical procedure to reconstruct or replace a joint.
The surgical specialty and medical practice of joint reconstruction or replacement, often to relieve pain and restore function in damaged joints from conditions like arthritis or injury.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The practice and terminology are standardized globally in medicine.
Connotations
None beyond the medical context.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, used exclusively in medical contexts by relevant professionals.
Grammar
How to Use “arthroplasty” in a Sentence
patient underwent [arthroplasty][arthroplasty] of the [joint name]to perform an arthroplasty on [body part]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arthroplasty” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The consultant plans to arthrodese the ankle, not arthroplasty it.
- They decided against arthroplastying the joint due to the patient's age.
American English
- The surgeon opted not to perform an arthroplasty on the young athlete.
- We rarely arthroplasty joints with active infection.
adverb
British English
- The hip was treated arthroplastically.
American English
- The joint was managed arthroplastically rather than conservatively.
adjective
British English
- The arthroplasty clinic is held on Tuesdays.
- He reviewed the arthroplasty surgical outcomes.
American English
- The arthroplasty prosthesis was cementless.
- She specializes in arthroplasty techniques.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in pharmaceutical or medical device company reports.
Academic
Exclusively in medical and biomedical engineering literature, textbooks, and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Laypeople would say 'hip replacement' or 'knee replacement'.
Technical
The standard, precise term in orthopaedic surgery, radiology, physiotherapy, and related clinical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arthroplasty”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arthroplasty”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arthroplasty”
- Mispronouncing as 'arthro-PLAST-ee' (stress is on first syllable).
- Using it as a general term for any joint surgery (it's specific to reconstruction/replacement).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost. 'Arthroplasty' is the broader surgical term meaning joint reconstruction, which often includes total or partial joint replacement. 'Joint replacement' is a very common type of arthroplasty.
In medical terms, the opposite approach is 'joint preservation' or 'conservative management', which includes physiotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes to avoid surgery.
Initial hospital recovery is typically a few days, but full recovery and rehabilitation can take several weeks to months, depending on the joint and the patient's health.
It is most commonly performed on large weight-bearing joints like hips and knees, but it can also be done on shoulders, elbows, ankles, and finger joints.
A surgical procedure to reconstruct or replace a joint.
Arthroplasty is usually formal / medical in register.
Arthroplasty: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːθrə(ʊ)ˌplæsti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːrθroʊˌplæsti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'arthro-' (joint, like in arthritis) and '-plasty' (surgical repair or shaping, like in rhinoplasty). So, it's 'joint reshaping' surgery.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOINT AS A MACHINE PART THAT CAN BE REPLACED or RESTORATION AS REBUILDING.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of an arthroplasty?