Standard Total Hip Replacement (THR)

X-ray of standard total hip replacement

In the standard total hip replacement operation, the femoral head and neck are removed, the femoral canal (marrow space) is reamed-out and a metal stem is secured in canal. The stem may be secured using bone cement or press-fit for the bone to grow-into it. The size of the ball replacing the femoral head is about 30 mm in diameter. A cup is set into pelvis, commonly lined with plastic (polyethylene).

Polyethylene Hazards

Polyethylene debris created by wear of polyethylene articulating surfaces is attacked by the body's immune system. The immune response is not effective against the plastic particles so, instead, the macrophages attack the adjacent bone. This leads to bone loss -- osteolysis. Since debris accumulates in the area adjacent to the implant, the bone loss leads to loosening of the implant stem. This is the main reason for revision surgery, not the actebular cup wearing out.

Options for Active Patients

• Hip Resurfacing or Hip Surface Replacement

• Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Replacement

• Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Replacement

• Metal-on-Crosslinked Polyethylene Total Hip Replacement

• Total Hip Replacement with Bone-preserving Stem Designs

• Minimally Invasive Hip Surgery (MIS) and Mini-incision Surgery

• Osteotomy to Correct Dysplasia