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PRIMER
Dr. Melvyn Harrington
Total Hip Replacement Primer
Total hip replacement surgery replaces the upper end of the thighbone (femur) with a metal ball and resurfaces the hip socket in the pelvic bone with a metal shell and plastic liner.
The risk of infection for total hip replacements is about one percent and two percent for total knee replacements.
Dr. Melvyn Harrington, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee conditions, says 500,000 total knee replacements will be performed this year. He predicts that more than 3 million will take place annually by the year 2030.
“What sets Methodist apart from other institutions when it comes to revision surgery is that we have an entire team — from infectious disease specialists to anesthesiologists to experts in pain management — that assists us in getting our patients back on their feet again,” Harrington said.
The problems that occur right after the initial surgery are easier to fi x. However, sometimes the pain does not show up until two to three years after surgery. Symptoms of a diseased hip include feeling feverish or having chills, a reddish incision or swelling around the incision or oozing from the incision. !
Common Causes of Hip Pain and Loss of Hip Mobility
The most common cause of chronic hip pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.
" Osteoarthritis usually occurs in people 50 years of age and older and often, individuals with a family history of arthritis. It may be caused or accelerated by subtle irregularities in how the hip developed. In this form of the disease, the articular cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip wears away. The bones then rub against each other, causing hip pain and stiffness.
" Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the synovial membrane becomes infl amed, produces too much synovial fl uid and damages the articular cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness.
" Traumatic arthritis can follow a serious hip injury or fracture. A hip fracture can cause a condition known as osteonecrosis. The articular cartilage becomes damaged and over time, causes hip pain and stiffness.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
To make an appointment with one of Methodist’s orthopedic surgeons, call 713-790-3333.
