Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Easy
Arthroplasty
Meaning: Surgical replacement or reconstruction of a joint, such as a total hip or knee replacement.
In practice: He was listed for a total knee arthroplasty after years of worsening joint pain.
Word parts
- arthro- means joint
- -plasty means surgical repair or reshaping
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related orthopaedics words.
Which word means: Surgical incision of the tough membrane enclosing a muscle compartment to relieve raised pressure.
Answer: Fasciotomy
Which word means: The group of seven bones forming the ankle and back of the foot.
Answer: Tarsus
Words like arthroplasty come up in the daily game
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