What happens during knee replacement
The damaged ends of the femur and tibia are resurfaced and capped with metal components, with a plastic spacer between them replicating cartilage function. A partial or total replacement depends on how much of the joint is damaged.
What happens during hip replacement
The damaged ball-and-socket joint is replaced — the femoral head (ball) with a prosthetic component, and the hip socket resurfaced with a matching prosthetic cup. Surgical approach (anterior vs posterior) affects incision location and some aspects of recovery.
Implant materials
Metal, ceramic, and plastic components are used in various combinations depending on patient factors like age and activity level — the same major implant manufacturers (Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, Smith+Nephew) supply components used both domestically and at accredited facilities abroad.
General recovery expectations
Both procedures typically involve a hospital stay of several days, followed by a structured physical therapy protocol beginning within the first day or two — early mobilization is standard practice, not an aggressive outlier approach.
See colombiamedical.co for Colombia-specific joint replacement provider information.
The Takeaway
Implant material and surgical approach should be determined by your specific case, not chosen off a menu — ask your surgeon what they recommend for your situation specifically and why.