about the procedure

The hip jointjointThe junction or articulation of two or more bones that permits varying degrees of motion between the bones. forms where the top of the thigh boneboneThe hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite cryst... (femurfemurThe long bone of the thigh.) meets the socket of the pelvic boneboneThe hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite cryst... (acetabulumacetabulumA cup-shaped depression on the external surface of the hipbone into which the head of the femur fits. The sock...). The top of the femur is shaped like a ball and fits snugly in the socket formed by the acetabulum. The hip bones are covered with a layer of slick cartilagecartilageThe hard, thin layer of white glossy tissue that covers the end of bone at a joint. This tissue allows motion ..., which cushions and protects the bones while allowing smooth movement.

Ligaments connect the bones of the jointjointThe junction between the ends of two adjacent bones. to hold them in place and add strength and elasticity for movement. Muscles and tendonstendonsFibrous bands, one at each end of a muscle, that connect the muscle to bones. play an important role in keeping the joint stable and mobile.

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the procedure

When medication, physical therapyphysical therapyThe treatment consisting of exercising specific parts of the body such as the legs, arms, hands or neck, in an... and other conservative methods of treatment no longer relieve painpainAn unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage, and mediated by specific nerve fibe..., total hip replacementtotal hip replacementReplacement of both the femoral and acetabular hip components. may be recommended. Total hip replacement helps relieve pain and allows patients to perform many activities that may have been limited due to hip pain.

More than 270,000 people in the United States annually undergo hip replacement surgerysurgeryThe branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease, injury, and deformity by operation or manipula... to relieve pain and stiffness and restore mobility.

surgical techniques

Surgeons have many good techniques to choose from. They include:

• Traditional Hip Replacement: The typical hip replacement procedure uses one of two approaches performed through similar incisions located on the upper thigh and buttock. One is called a posteriorposteriorThe back of the body or situated nearer the back of the body.-laterallateralSituated away from the midline of the body. approach (posterior means rear) and the other is the anterior-lateral approach (anterior means front).
• Minimally Invasive Techniques: The term refers to approaches using smaller incisions combined with traditional approaches, as well as to alternate surgical approaches employing smaller incisions or sometimes two incisions.
  • Single incision techniques for minimally invasive surgeryminimally invasive surgerySurgery requiring small incision(s), usually performed with endoscopic visualization. include:
    • The Anterior Approach. Anterior means front. So this technique uses one small incision on the front of the upper thigh. The technique is sometimes called the "true anterior approach."
    • The posterior-lateral and anterior-lateral approach. These are traditional approaches described above using smaller incisions and special instruments to facilitate the procedure through these incisions.
    • Two-incision techniques use one opening nearer the front of the thigh to insert the socket part of the implant, and a separate small incision toward the back of the thigh to insert the stem of the implant.

As with any surgery, each of these techniques poses some risks. Recovery takes time and hard work. The life of a new joint depends on weight, activity level, age, and other factors. Each patient responds differently. The most common adverse events following hip arthroplastyarthroplastyExamination of a joint with a scope. include dislocationdislocationDisplacement of an organ or any part; specifically disturbance or disarrangement of the normal relation of the..., leg length discrepancy, failure to improve all pain, bone fracturefractureA disruption of the normal continuity of bone., change in component position, infection, loosening, and tissuetissueA collection of similar cells and the intercellular substances surrounding them. reaction.

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