Instead of having a total hip arthoplasty how about resurfacing the hip? We offer this at RHYNEER CLINIC but everyone needs to know this is not a operation for everyone. This is not because one is being denied some new technology but there are instances where a resurfaced hip joint may lead to a femoral neck fracture or other complication.
There are many difference surfaces that can rub together to make your artificial hip joint work! A metal ball on a plastic liner works extremely well and is used probably the most in the world and America. Science is always looking for something better though. We would like to say our artificial hips will last for ever but there is nothing out there….yet, that will. What wears out in an artificial hip is the plastic. It is slowly ground away by the smooth ball… kind of like a microscopic mortar and pestal. Your body tries to eat up the plastic debrie but is unsuccessful. Cells around the plastic debrie release so many chemicals in trying to eat up the pieces that the bone cells around the rest of your artificial hip start to “turn on” and reabsorb bone around the hip and it becomes “loose”. Micro motion of the loose hip HURTS. So, get rid of the plastic or make a super smooth ball or make a plastic that doesn’t wear. Science has given us all of these. We have ceramic balls…super smooth. Ceramic balls on ceramic cups (the acetabulum), or metal balls on metal cups. They all have their place and advocates. The thing is none of these new joints we can say will last 30 plus years and not have to be “revised”. A new hip put in after the old one wears out. These second time hips don’t usually work as well as the first. Ever had a rebuilt transmission? That second one usually just isn’t like the original and usually doesn’t last as long!
So, with resurfacing, very little of the bone on the femur is lost. The ball is just shaved off a bit and capped with metal. It really is for people that are not going to change their lifestyle and want to have NO LIMITS. They are going to use that hip for every darn adventure they want to. These are the folks who get a resurfacing in may practice today. If the resurfaced joint fails for what ever reason. Its very easy to remove that metal head and replace the ball and stem with a traditional one…it’s not a true revision surgery like the old ones were.
I hope this makes sense. I think the most important thing is your surgeon shouldn’t be dogmatic about what is the “best hip” made in the world and that’s the one “they use”. It’s hubris. One should be open and discuss a variety of choices for you, and help you find what may give your joint the longest longevity and pain free lifestyle. Sincerely Dr. Rhyneer
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