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Getting Hip to Hip Surgery
Newswise — Both total hip replacement or total hip
arthroplasty (THA), and hip resurfacing
procedures continue to spark a lively
ongoing discussion amongst orthopaedic
surgeons.
Some are calling hip resurfacing a more effective
alternative, while others are saying
complications associated with resurfacing
far outweigh its effectiveness.
Total hip replacement involves an orthopaedic surgeon
removing the head (or ball) and neck of the
femur (thigh bone) and replacing them with a
metal implant.
The resurfacing procedure reshapes the head of the thigh bone
and covers it sparing part of the bone with
a metal and plastic implant.
“Hip resurfacing is not new to orthopaedics it has been
around for more than 10 years now,” said
William Maloney, MD, professor of surgery
and chair of the Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery at Stanford, University.
“We are now starting to acquire experience and measurable
data associated with the procedure and its
outcomes.
"One reason for this discussion is because orthopaedic
surgeons are dealing with more direct to
consumer advertising today when it comes to
resurfacing. Patients are coming into our
offices and asking for the procedure without
really understanding what is involved or
even if they are a suitable candidate.”
Those who perform hip resurfacing procedures say:
• It is a less invasive surgery with a
shorter hospital stay and recovery time
• Patients experience a better range of
motion after surgery
• Patients experience a longer implant life
Those who perform total hip replacement say:
• It is no more invasive than resurfacing
• Healing time is much the same as for
resurfacing patients
• More of the patient population stands to
benefit from total hip replacement
Dr. Maloney will moderate a frank and fact filled discussion
on the merits of both procedures at a media
briefing entitled: “Getting Hip to Hip
Surgery: Resurfacing and Replacement,” on
Thursday March 6, 2008, at the 75th Annual
Meeting of the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), in the Moscone
Convention Center, South Mezzanine, at 9:15
a.m., in Room 224.
The panel of presenters will include: Paul Beaule, MD, Robert
Trousdale, MD, Paul Lachiewicz, MD, and Tom
Schmalzried, MD. These orthopaedic surgeons
will discuss the newest technology in total
hip arthroplasty, pitfalls and
misconceptions when it comes to resurfacing
and the changing hip replacement patient.
“We will also discuss if new technologies are really worth
pursuing in the long run,” said Maloney. “
Total hip and knee replacements together are Medicare’s
biggest expense, at the end of the day we
are all paying for these procedures.
"Our biggest priorities are to continue offering the best
benefits and outcomes to all our patients,
no matter what procedure they undergo.”
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