| |
Hip replacement surgery can restore movement and relieve pain to permit people with worn or damaged hip joints to resume routine activities, work and move without pain or stiffness. Like all surgery, there are risks as well as benefits. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine if surgery is appropriate, and which type is best in a specific situation.
Total hip replacement
In total hip replacement, The socket in the pelvis and the ball at the top of the femur are cut away and replaced with a metal or plastic prosthesis. Hip replacements are either cemented, press-fit un-cemented or biological un-cemented.
Cemented
Cemented hip replacement uses a fast-drying polymer glue to hold the socket to the pelvis and the ball to the femur.
Press-fit un-cemented
Press-fit un-cemented hip replacement uses tight tolerances and a close fit between to allow the ends of the prosthetic joint and the remaining healthy bone of the pelvis and femur (after the damaged joint is removed) to be tightly joined simply by pressing them together.
Biological un-cemented
Biological un-cemented hip replacement is similar to press-fit, but the replacement joint has a porous surface so new bone grows into it to hold the new joint in place.
Hip resurfacing
Hip resurfacing replaces the socket on the pelvis, but preserves and reshapes the existing on the femur and resurfaces it with a metal cap. Hip resurfacing is still considered an experimental process, and is available only in clinical trials. Only patients whose femoral balls have not been extensively damaged are candidates for hip resurfacing.
Minimally-invasive surgery
Minimally-invasive surgery may be appropriate for some patients. The smaller incision - generally one 4" incision or two 2" incisions in place of a 10" to 12" incision - minimizes damage to muscles and tendons, reduces blood loss and results in less postoperative discomfort.
Seriously overweight or obese people, patients who have had previous hip replacement surgery and some with unusual anatomy cannot have minimally-invasive surgery.
|
