Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
One alternative is to postpone surgery, if the patient's pain can be sufficiently controlled with medication to allow reasonable comfort, and if the patient is willing to accept a lower range of motion in the affected hip.
Surgical alternatives...
to a hip osteotomy include:
- Total hip replacement. Total hip replacement is an operation designed to replace the entire damaged hip joint. Various prosthetic designs and types of procedures are available. The procedure involves surgical removal of the damaged parts of the hip joint and replacing them with artificial components made from ceramic or metal alloys. The bearing surface is usually made from a durable type of polyethylene, but other materials including ceramics, newer plastics, or metals may be used.
- Arthrodesis. This procedure is rarely performed as of 2003, but is considered particularly effective for younger patients who are short in stature and otherwise healthy. Arthrodesis relieves pain by fusing the femoral head to the acetabulum. It has none of the limitations that a joint replacement or other procedure imposes on the patient's activity level. An arthrodesis is especially suited for patients with strong backs and no other symptoms. The procedure generally requires internal fixation with a plate and screws. The patient may be immobilized in a cast while healing takes place. An arthrodesis can be converted to a total hip replacement at a later date.
- Pseudarthrosis. This procedure is also called a Girdlestone operation. A pseudarthrosis involves removing the femoral head without replacing it with an artificial part. It is performed in patients with hip infections and those whose bones cannot tolerate a reconstructive procedure. Pseudarthrosis leaves the patient with one leg shorter and usually less stable than the other. After this procedure, the patient almost always needs at least one crutch, especially for long-distance walking.
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Other Information
An osteotomy is a surgical operation whereby a bone is cut to shorten, lengthen, or change its alignment. It is sometimes performed to correct a hallux valgus, or to straighten a bone that has healed crookedly following a fracture. It is also used to correct a coxa vara, genu valgum, and genu varum. The operation is done under a general anaesthetic.
Two main types of osteotomies are used in the correction of hip dysplasias and deformities to improve alignment/interaction of acetabulum - (socket) - and femoral head (femur head) - (ball), innominate osteotomies and femoral osteotomies. The bones are cut, reshaped or partially removed to realign the load bearing surfaces of the joint.
Adjustments are made to part of the hip-bone. Many operating methods and variations have been developed. They are defined by the type of cut and adjustment made Some acetabular procedures are named after the surgeons who first described them as Salter (R. Salter), Dega (W. Dega), Sutherland (D.H. Sutherland), Chiari (K. Chiari): other names one may encounter are Ludlov, P. Pemberton, and James B. Steele. Some are named after the shape of cut (e.g. Chevron, Wedge) or the way the bones are aligned (Dial=old style rotary dial phone).
Femoral osteotomies, as the name indicates, involves adjustments made to the femur head and/or the femur.
Other Information
Orthopedic complaints are the most common reason to seek medical care.
From: About.com
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