Hip resurfacing prosthetics

The hip resurfacing system (BHR, Adept) pioneered by Dr. McMinn is the hip joint prosthetics of our choice.

This technique allows the conservation of the leg bones and the femoral head. Only severely deteriorated portions of the joint are removed. The surface of the femoral head is treated and covered with a metal cap. Loss of bone is hence kept to a minimum. The pelvic socket is similarly treated.

The operation is, as a rule, performed under full anesthesia. When the patient is brought into the operation room, the presence of the the latest set of X-rays and precise X-ray moldings aid the surgeon in planning the course of the procedure.

The operation is undertaken through a small incision in the skin. This in particular ensures soft tissues and muscles are conserved. The benefits to the patient are less pain and loss of energy, quicker recovery and better mobility.

Since precise positioning of the prosthetic components is vital, the procedure is performed with the aid of computer navigation. This facilitates detailed planning of the operation and precise positioning of the hip replacement.

With hip resurfacing, our patients find they can exert great weight on the prostheses with little consequence and that they have regained a great degree of mobility.

Very active people – whether from professional or athletic engagements – can generally expect to resume their usual activities following their operation. The conservation of the body’s own femoral neck and head provides the patient with a better overall sense of their body and joints. The high-grade metals and metal alloys used allow for maximal degree of coordination while arthrosis of the joint is kept to a minimum. Between the sliding components is a clear gap, which is filled in by the body’s own synovial fluid. This viscous film keeps the joint constantly lubricated. Since the natural proportion of the joints remains unaltered, there is very risk of their dislocation (luxation).

Advantages of knee resurfacing in a nutshell:

 •  Conservation of the femoral neck and femoral head
 •  Preservation of the body and knee’s general sense of well-being
 •  Low degree of wear due to the use of high-grade quality and high precision-processed
    metal alloys
 •  Continual natural lubrication of the knee
 •  Minimal risk of joint dislocation (luxation)
 •  Prostheses are capable of bearing great weight, so patients may resume almost any sort of
    sports and professional activities.

If, for example, a patient experiences a femoral neck fracture later on in life which necessitates revision surgery, this will generally be less problematic than if the patient had had a standard total endoprosthesis (TEP). Moreover, with regard to the femoral head, the revision surgery is comparable to a first operation on this part of the bone.

Post-operation

A rehabilitation treatment following the operation enables the patient to achieve a quick recovery. Twenty-four hours after the operation, with the new joint in place, the patient can expect to take the first steps, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, with the help of crutches. About five or six days later, the patient has regained so much mobility that they will need very little help to get around. After ten to 14 days, the stitches are removed. Another three weeks of ambulatory or inpatient physiotherapy and the patient can resume most of their professional or sporting activities. The walking aids can be put away.

These vital steps are coordinated by Dr. Sarem and the hospital’s administrative staff.

Durability of the hip replacement

The life span of an artificial joint, i.e. its service life, is not easy to predict. It averages somewhere between 15 to 20 years. Factors like material, implant placement as well as the patient’s physical activities and bone quality play vital roles. In our view, the implants we employ have a significantly longer life span and their positive track record is encouraging.

Reason for a change of prosthesis

Like any mechanical joint, the hip is subjected to a great degree of wear and tear. Intensive bio-mechanical impact causes deterioration of the surface, which especially in the case of an artificial joint replacement can also lead to its loosening. Accidents and infections can also cause the prosthesis to loosen. The patient notices something is amiss when pain appears and becomes unremitting and ever more intense. If tests confirm a loosening, the prosthesis in question must be replaced.

Our patients take confidence in the knowledge that we use specially-developed, abrasion-resistant components with proven long life spans.