The bio-tribological properties of an artificial joint can be obviously improved by surface modification technologies. In this paper, the benefits and disadvantages of various surface modification methods-such as surface coating, plasma treatment, surface texture and surface grafting modification-are discussed. The aim of surface coating and/or plasma treatment is to improve the surface hardness of the materials, thus enhancing the wear resistance of artificial joints. However, these technologies do not effectively alleviate stress concentration of material in the short times in which artificial joints bear physiological impact load, resulting in easy fracture. Surface texture serves mainly to improve the lubrication properties through micro-concavities on the material surface for storage lubricant. Surface texturing can realize improvements in bio-tribological properties, but it does not enhance the impact resistance of the joint. Surface grafting modification is implemented mainly by grafting hydrophilic or other specific functional groups to improve the surface hydrophilicity and wetability, thus enhancing lubricating performance and reducing the coefficient of friction.