Hip Replacement in Ventura County
Hip Arthroplasty
First your hip hurts when you climb stairs or walk for a while. Then, it starts to bother you when you stand up, sit down, or bend over. Next thing you know, your hip pain is waking you up in the middle of the night. Everyday activities like putting on your shoes or even changing your position in bed become a daily challenge. When conservative treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or steroid injections no longer provide relief, it’s time to think about hip replacement surgery.
The Anatomy of the Hip
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The socket (acetabulum) is built into the large pelvic bone. The ball (femoral head) is at the top of the thigh bone. Both parts are covered with a smooth tissue called articular cartilage, and the entire joint is surrounded by the synovial membrane. In a healthy hip, the articular cartilage cushions the ball and socket, and the synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the joint and keep it moving smoothly.
Conditions that Can Damage the Hip Joint
Conditions that may make hip replacement surgery necessary include:
- Osteoarthritis: Over time, age-related “wear-and-tear arthritis” can badly damage articular cartilage
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This autoimmune disease causes inflammation that damages cartilage and even underlying bone
- Osteonecrosis: If blood supply to the femoral head is compromised by a dislocation or fracture, the bone can become severely damaged
Total Hip Replacement
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 450,000 total hip replacements performed each year in the U.S. alone. In a total hip replacement, the surgeon removes the damaged sections of the hip joint and replaces them with an artificial joint (prosthesis). First, the damaged femoral head is removed. It is replaced with a metal femoral stem, which is anchored into the inside of the femur bone and capped with a metal or ceramic ball to replace the natural femoral head. The surgeon then removes the damaged surface of the acetabulum and replaces it with a metal socket, secured with surgical screws or bone cement. To help the new hip move more naturally, a plastic, ceramic, or metal spacer is inserted between the prosthetic ball and socket.
Types of Hip Replacements
Posterior Hip Replacement
Posterior hip replacement is the most common hip replacement technique used by U.S. orthopedic surgeons. In posterior hip replacement, the surgeon makes the hip incision at the back of the hip, close to the buttocks. The abductor muscles, the major walking muscles, are not cut.
Anterior Hip Replacement
Anterior hip replacement is performed through the front of the groin. This method has a shorter recovery time and reduces the incidence of hip dislocations.
Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement with the ROSA® Joint System
ROSA is short for “Robotic Surgical Assistant” and that’s exactly what the robot does: assist surgeons in planning, personalizing, and performing knee and hip replacements for exceptional accuracy and efficiency.
Partial Hip Replacement
Partial hip replacement may be a good option when only a specific part of the hip joint is damaged or diseased. In most cases, the head of the femur is the part that needs replacing, while the acetabulum is left intact.
