Joint Replacement Surgery removes damaged parts of a joint and replaces them with new, man-made parts. The goals of joint replacement surgery are to relieve pain, help the joint work better, and improve walking and other movements. What is Joint Knee Replacement Surgery? Joint Replacement Surgery can help relieve pain and restore function in severely damaged knee joints. The procedure involves cutting the damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap and replacing it with an artificial joint made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers.