In 1962, John Charnley introduced the low-friction arthroplasty that became a landmark in modern hip replacement. Joint replacement restored mobility to many people disabled by pain and arthritis. Because major orthopaedic surgery carries a high clot risk, anticoagulant prophylaxis became an important companion to such operations.

The introduction of low-friction hip replacement by Charnley in 1962 transformed the aging body from a sentence of immobility into a site of repair. For poets and artists, this restoration symbolizes renewed observation and participation in the world, reflecting the human experience of resilience.