Arthroplasty or hip substitution is the medical term used to refer to the surgical replacement of a defective hip joint with a prosthesis. The joint may not be functioning properly any more, or it may be the source of intolerable pain. The associated term hemiarthroplasty refers to a partial substitution entailing the replacement of only one facet of the joint (either the ball or socket, but not both). Hemi is a Greek prefix meaning half, as in hemisphere. The name and description of the procedure may evoke fear or reluctance. However, by assessing appropriate information, people may reassure themselves as to the operation's nature, and then possibly hip replacement patients agree: easier than it sounds.
There are several reasons why an arthroplasty is prescribed. The most common is the presence of osteoarthritis in the hip joint or hip area. Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis caused by external trauma, are also treated by the procedure. In addition to these, spondylitis and bone tumors may necessitate substitution of the joint, either partially or entirely.
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.
The different variations are named after the direction of incision used to access the targeted hip. They are therefore self-explanatory: anterior (from the front), posterior (from the back) and lateral (from the side). The exception is the minimally invasive approach, which attempts to utilise the smallest possible incision, but the installation of the artificial parts is then harder to accomplish successfully, and the surgeon using this approach may require the assistance of more advanced equipment, such as computer imaging or intraoperative X-rays.
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 prostheses are made in a selection of materials at present. Patients should obtain information on each material in order to choose the most sensible one for their particular situation. They thereby empower themselves in their own treatment.
Surgery in hospital is traditionally approached with gritted teeth and psychological tension. Arthroplasty is obviously no different. Be that as it may, the procedure is an old one and, armed with the right information, patients should therefore take tall strides through the process of treatment and recovery.
There are several reasons why an arthroplasty is prescribed. The most common is the presence of osteoarthritis in the hip joint or hip area. Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis caused by external trauma, are also treated by the procedure. In addition to these, spondylitis and bone tumors may necessitate substitution of the joint, either partially or entirely.
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.
The different variations are named after the direction of incision used to access the targeted hip. They are therefore self-explanatory: anterior (from the front), posterior (from the back) and lateral (from the side). The exception is the minimally invasive approach, which attempts to utilise the smallest possible incision, but the installation of the artificial parts is then harder to accomplish successfully, and the surgeon using this approach may require the assistance of more advanced equipment, such as computer imaging or intraoperative X-rays.
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 prostheses are made in a selection of materials at present. Patients should obtain information on each material in order to choose the most sensible one for their particular situation. They thereby empower themselves in their own treatment.
Surgery in hospital is traditionally approached with gritted teeth and psychological tension. Arthroplasty is obviously no different. Be that as it may, the procedure is an old one and, armed with the right information, patients should therefore take tall strides through the process of treatment and recovery.
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 orthopedic hand specialist Bucks County he recommends that you visit his friends at St. Mary Medical Center.
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