Alternatives available to hip replacement surgery

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Alternatives available to hip replacement surgery

www.theacorn.com/news/2007/1227/Health_and_Wellness/054.html

With more than 43 million suffering from arthritis, hip replacements have

been a common procedure, but a new approach to dealing with constant hip

pain may offer a better solution.

An alternative to hip replacement surgery, known as hip resurfacing, is

attracting attention because it conserves more bone, minimizes risk of

dislocation and allows patients to resume many of the activities they enjoy

without constant hip pain.

In this innovative process, the end of the thighbone, or femur, is capped

with a metal covering such as a strong cobalt chromium metal, much the same

way a tooth is capped. The covering fits neatly into a metal cup that sits

in the hip socket.

Because the head of the femur is simply reshaped and resurfaced in this

technique, rather than removed, patients have more of their natural bone

preserved.

Should the device need replacing at some time in the future, this may

provide better options for the surgeon at that time, as a conventional total

hip replacement can typically be used, making it an attractive option for

younger and more active osteoarthritis patients.

" Hip resurfacing offers the right patient a more conservative

bone-preserving procedure than traditional hip replacement. The anatomic

nature of these devices enables certain younger, more active patients to get

back to most of the activities that are important to them, " said Bernard

Stulberg, MD, Cleveland Center for Joint Reconstruction.

Patients should discuss their physical activity levels, body type, disease

stage and lifestyle with their doctor to help determine the best treatment.

The hip resurfacing technique was introduced internationally in 1997 by

Corin, the company that pioneered the modern development of this technology.

Stryker Corporation, one of the world's leading medical technology

companies, is now bringing the resurfacing technology to the U.S.

Hip resurfacing is not for everyone. It's most appropriate for younger, more

active patients with good bone quality, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid

arthritis.

Hip resurfacing is not recommended for patients with these conditions:

..an active or suspected infection in or about the hip joint

..poor bone quality which could not support the implant

..multiple cysts

..any known allergy to metal

..extreme overweight as overload on device would lead to failure

..skeletal immaturity

..women in childbearing years

..weak immune system due to disease or certain medications such as

corticosteroids

..kidney failure

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.