Physical therapy, along with medicines, are the most common treatment options advised for patients with painful and damaged joint, research says.For cases in which conservative treatment give no positive effects, surgical repair is recommended. The total hip replacement (THR) or the hip resurfacing arthroplasty, an alternative procedure, may be advised. However, a medical technology forum finds metal-on-metal hip resurfacing too risky.
Younger patients who have severe hip arthritis are usually advised to undergo hip resurfacing. Because young patients may need to undergo several revision surgeries, they are advised to undergo hip resurfacing rather than total hip replacement. Possible complications associated with hip revision surgery can be prevented with hip resurfacing and the procedure is thought to preserve more bone.
What happens during the procedure?
The concept of surface replacement, also known as hip resurfacing, originated in the 1970s as an attempt to preserve bone during the implantation of an artificial hip joint. Maintenance of normal bone is seen in hip resurfacing. The whole ball and socket joint is not removed. A metal cap is placed in the area approximate the worn out cartilage.
Two different incisions into the hip joint are carried out by the surgeon. In the anterior approach, access is gained on the front part of the hip. In the posterior approach, the incision is from the back. There is no one right approach, though. Each approach depends on the training and experience of the surgeon.
The usual length of a hip resurfacing is one and one-half to three hours. The operation starts upon incision of the thigh 15-20 centimeters long. The femoral head will then be dislocated from the socket. Using a specially designed power instrument, the head is cut down. The cap is placed over the smoothed head. The cartilage that lines the socket is removed with a power tool called a reamer. With the friction between the bone and the metal to hold it in place, a metal cup is pushed into the socket. The incision is closed once the cup is in place and the femoral head is placed back into the socket.
The patient is transferred to the recovery after the operation where he will be closely monitored by the nurse. Once patient’s vital signs are stable after two hours, he will be transported back to his room.
Experts say that roughly 10-15% of patients who are to have hip replacement may find hip resurfacing a good alternative. Although it is believed that the procedure has lesser complications than THR, it is best to consult a health care provider. | Even if complications may appear less in hip resurfacing than in THR, consultation with a health care provider for careful evaluation is recommended. | While the procedure poses fewer complications than THR, it would be best if you consult a health care provider for a careful assessment.} Included in the discussion between patient and doctor are the surgical approach and the hip implant to be used. The ASR hip system of DePuy Orthopedics is undergoing a worldwide ASR hip replacement recall after studies show that the device was found defective.
Reference:
http://www.hss.edu/conditions_hip-resurfacing-overview.asp
http://www.eorthopod.com/content/hip-resurfacing-arthroplasty
http://www.londonhip.com/resurfacing.html
http://www.jointreaction.co.uk/procedure.php?id=23
