What Are Joint Replacement Implants Actually Made Of?

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]So, what are implants made of? Let's start with the basics. Most joint replacements are not made of a single material. They're made of combinations.

[00:00:10]Cobalt-chrome alloys, which are extremely hard and wear-resistant, titanium alloys, which are lightweight and excellent for bone ingrowth, ceramics, which are ultra-smooth and low-friction, polyethylene, which is a high-grade plastic that acts like the cushion.

[00:00:29]For example, a hip replacement might use a titanium stem, a ceramic head, and a polyethylene liner.

[00:00:36]A knee replacement often includes cobalt-chrome components with a polyethylene spacer.

[00:00:43]So, when patients ask, "Do I have a metal implant?" the answer is almost always yes, but it depends on which metal, where, and why.