What’s the difference between shoulder replacement and resurfacing?

June 29th — admin

What’s the difference between shoulder replacement and resurfacing?

Shoulder replacement is the removal of the shoulder socket and head of the humerus (upper arm bone). These parts are replaced with an artificial implant.

On the shoulder socket side, a cup-shaped metal or ceramic implant is pressed or cemented into the bone. On the humeral side, an implant shaped like the head of a humerus with a long stem is inserted down into the shaft of the humerus. New bone from the humerus grows into and around the implants.

With joint resurfacing, the surgeon removes any bone spurs and smooths the joint surface. Then the joint surface is covered with tissue from some other part of the body. This could be a piece of tendon, flap of muscle, or rim of meniscus. The tissue usually comes from a donor bank.

Biologic resurfacing is also known as interpositional arthroplasty. It has been around in one form or another since the mid-1800s. It is one alternative to a total joint replacement for young, active adults. Less bone is removed. This makes it possible to convert to a total shoulder replacement later, if needed.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Are rehab and recovery the same for joint resurfacing as for joint replacement?

June 7th — admin

I’m 59-years old. I’ve had one total hip replacement on the right. Now I’m looking at a joint resurfacing procedure for the left. I understand this new procedure is less invasive. Will the rehab and recovery afterwards be easier, too?

Hip joint resurfacing is a type of hip replacement that removes the arthritic surface of the joint but takes far less bone than the traditional total hip replacement. Recovery may be faster after joint resurfacing for some patients.

The rehab protocol remains the same. The main difference is how fast you move through the progression from range-of-motion to strengthening and beyond. In some places, physical therapy begins pre-operatively. You are evaluated for strength, motion, and function. And while you are free from the effects of anesthesia and post-operative pain, the therapist will teach you how to manage crutches (including stairs). This may be a review for you since you’ve had hip surgery before.

Even if you aren’t seen pre-operatively, you will be in physical therapy on the first postoperative day. Ankle and knee movements are used to help pump swelling out of the leg and to prevent the formation of blood clots. You’ll be wearing compressive stockings placed on your legs right after the surgery. Exercises and walking with assistance are initiated.

You probably won’t be putting your full weight yet on that leg, so you’ll need a walker, crutches, or canes at first. Eventually, you’ll progress to full weight-bearing without the use of any aids. Hip strengthening exercises, endurance activities, and a program to restore joint proprioception (sense of position) will be added. When you are safe in putting full weight through the leg, several types of balance exercises can be chosen to further stabilize and control the hip. This usually happens around six weeks post-op. Since you are familiar with a rehab program for total hip replacement, you won’t have any trouble adapting to a similar program following a joint resurfacing procedure.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Arthritis, Hips. Tags: , , , , , , . No Comments »

Younger patients have options with hip joint resurfacing

September 16th — admin

What is a sport hip replacement? I’m 34-years old and in need of a replacement but they tell me I’m too young. Is this a new alternative for guys like me?

The “everlasting hip” or “sport hip” are terms used to describe a new procedure called hip joint resurfacing. In this procedure, the surgeon smooths the joint surface and puts a protective or replacement metal cap over the bone at the top of the femur (thigh bone).

The idea is to provide younger patients with some options over the years. When used early on, the patient can still convert to a total hip replacement years later. You may be a good candidate. Check with your orthopedic surgeon about the possibility.

Joint resurfacing is not a reversible procedure. It doesn’t last forever. Although patients can be active, they are advised to limit or minimize some weight-bearing activities. This could include such things as impact sports, running, or sky-diving.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Hips. Tags: , , . 1 Comment »

How serious is advanced-stage osteoarthritis of the hip?

September 13th — admin

My father was just told he has advanced-stage arthritis of his left hip and needs a joint replacement. How serious is this?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is classified or staged according to changes in the size of the hip joint space and condition of the bone. As the cartilage wears down, the joint space gets narrower. Bone spurs called osteophytes start to form around the edges of the bone.

These and other changes are seen on X-rays. Advanced OA is defined as narrowing of the joint space along with spots of radiolucency from bone erosion. Radiolucency means the image is dark because the X-rays have passed through where the bone has worn away.

Of the four stages of OA, advanced-stage is the third stage before the final end-stage arthritis. In end-stage disease, the joint space is absent and bone spur formation is severe.

Patients with advanced or end-stage disease are most likely to be considered for joint replacement. Younger patients with advanced stage disease may be able to have a procedure called joint resurfacing. Then later, if the joint wears out completely, a joint replacement is possible. Older patients (usually 65 years or older) are more likely to receive a total joint replacement.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

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Partial hip replacement may result in fracture

August 26th — admin

My mother just had a partial hip replacement. I guess it was like having a tooth capped. Just the top of his femur was replaced. She ended up with a hip fracture afterward. Is this common?

It sounds like your mother had an operation called joint resurfacing. This type of operation has been around since the 1930s. It has come and gone based on problems afterward and materials available. Most recently, new metals have made it possible to resurface the head of the femur (thigh bone) with good results.

Fracture (usually of the femoral neck) is the most likely complication of hip joint resurfacing. It happens in up to four per cent of the cases. Studies show fracture occurs most often in the first 100 cases done by a surgeon. Fracture rates go down as the surgeon becomes more familiar with this technique.

Causes of fracture are both patient and technique-related. Obesity, decreased bone mass, and arthritis make a difference on the patient side. Anyone with a femoral neck cyst should get a total hip replacement instead of resurfacing. Putting the implant in with too much of a tilt or twist can also result in fracture.

Women seem to have a higher risk of fracture after hip joint resurfacing. The reason for this remains unknown at this time. Short-term results of hip joint resurfacing are good to excellent. Long-term studies aren’t available yet. Total hip replacement may be needed by patient who have a fracture after resurfacing.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Hips. Tags: , , , . No Comments »
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