Arthroplasty or hip replacement is the type of surgery that is used to replace a damaged or deteriorating hip joint with prosthetic parts, so that the joint is once more able to function as it should, and also with reduced or no pain. The term hemiarthroplasty refers to similar surgery during which only one side of the joint is substituted (the term is derived from the Greek particle hemi, which means half). Although the surgery may sound alarming and intrusive, with proper education people may realise that it is not so traumatic, so that hip replacement patients agree: easier than it sounds.
Arthroplasty is used to address several medical conditions. The most usual of these is osteoarthritis in the relevant hip area, and sometimes also rheumatoid arthritis. Ordinary hip injuries or trauma may also require this type of surgery. More specific causes are bone tumors and spondylitis. Generally speaking, impairment of the hip joint or extreme pain may also be alleviated.
There are more than one method of performing the surgery, differentiated primarily according to how the surgeon accesses the hip joint. So, there are the lateral (side-on), anterior (frontal) and posterior (from the rear) method. The last one, which is known as the minimally invasive technique, simply entails the attempt to effect the smallest possible incision. It is more difficult to perform than the others, so it may involve the use of supplementary imaging equipment.
Of course, because the operation is performed to install prosthetic parts, incision and removal of tissue is unavoidable, and so is post-operative recovery. This prospect typically causes a negative emotional reaction in patients prior to surgery, but it should be borne in mind that arthroplasty is the most common orthopedic intervention today. It has been part of medical practice since the 1940s, and it is performed to the same technological standards as other operations.
The prosthetic parts resemble the body's natural parts, both in shape and function. There are three: the acetabular cup, which mimics the acetabulum (hip socket), the femoral component, which replaces the femoral head (the head at the top of the thigh bone), and the articular interface, which eases the contact between the other two parts, thereby recreating the hip joint prosthetically.
The parts are available in different materials such as ceramics, metal and plastic. Patients should be aware of these options and make an informed choice.
Any operation in hospital elicits feelings of apprehension and unease. However, with an established track record of several decades and different prosthetic options, maybe patients may take heart, and they should therefore not anticipate their surgery with unnecessary pessimism or fear.
Arthroplasty is used to address several medical conditions. The most usual of these is osteoarthritis in the relevant hip area, and sometimes also rheumatoid arthritis. Ordinary hip injuries or trauma may also require this type of surgery. More specific causes are bone tumors and spondylitis. Generally speaking, impairment of the hip joint or extreme pain may also be alleviated.
There are more than one method of performing the surgery, differentiated primarily according to how the surgeon accesses the hip joint. So, there are the lateral (side-on), anterior (frontal) and posterior (from the rear) method. The last one, which is known as the minimally invasive technique, simply entails the attempt to effect the smallest possible incision. It is more difficult to perform than the others, so it may involve the use of supplementary imaging equipment.
Of course, because the operation is performed to install prosthetic parts, incision and removal of tissue is unavoidable, and so is post-operative recovery. This prospect typically causes a negative emotional reaction in patients prior to surgery, but it should be borne in mind that arthroplasty is the most common orthopedic intervention today. It has been part of medical practice since the 1940s, and it is performed to the same technological standards as other operations.
The prosthetic parts resemble the body's natural parts, both in shape and function. There are three: the acetabular cup, which mimics the acetabulum (hip socket), the femoral component, which replaces the femoral head (the head at the top of the thigh bone), and the articular interface, which eases the contact between the other two parts, thereby recreating the hip joint prosthetically.
The parts are available in different materials such as ceramics, metal and plastic. Patients should be aware of these options and make an informed choice.
Any operation in hospital elicits feelings of apprehension and unease. However, with an established track record of several decades and different prosthetic options, maybe patients may take heart, and they should therefore not anticipate their surgery with unnecessary pessimism or fear.
About the Author:
Neil P. Hines is passionate about providing intelligent, unbiased and highly relevant medical information for people dealing with a wide range of pain conditions and related orthopedic needs, including back pain, knee pain, joint replacements, sports medicine, lumbar fusion and more. If you are interested in learning more about joint replacement Bucks County he recommends that you visit his friends at St. Mary Medical Center.
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