Each year there are thousands of people who require total hip replacement surgery and have to go through the physical therapy that comes after the operation. Thousands more however are actually wary of the possible side effects of this kind of procedures, such as Metallosis which could possibly lead to birth defects.For these people, there are several types of alternatives to total hip replacement surgery.
Conservative management
Conservative management is the first alternative method to hip replacement surgery. This method entails taking of certain medications, changing of daily movement routine and physical therapy. This particular method is known to delay or even prevent the need for total hip replacement surgery.
Hemiarthroplasty
Hemiarthroplasty is one possible alternative to hip replacement surgery.During this surgical procedure one half of the joint is replaced with an artificial surface and leaves the other part in its natural state. This type of surgery is usually done on the hip after a subcapital (just below the head) fracture on the neck of the femur. What will happen during this particular surgery is the surgeon will remove the head of the femur and replace it with an artificial prosthesis which mimics the natural movement of the hip joint.However this type of surgery is usually recommended for the elderly as they have lower life expectancy and movement, and the prosthesis tends to loosen or to erode the acetabulum.
Hip resurfacing
Another common alternative to total hip replacement surgery is Hip Resurfacing.In this particular operation a metal cap is placed on the femoral head instead of amputating it. Athletes who partake in marathons and triathlons are the most common recipients of this particular alternative since there is no long stem placed on the femur so the hip moves more like a natural hip than other hip replacement alternatives.
Every year people elect to have total hip replacement surgery. Many have actually had successful surgeries, however there are also those who have ill side effects because of the total hip replacement system they were implanted with.Many of these people have been affected by the DePuy hip replacement recall. Before deciding weather or not total hip replacement surgery or one of its alternatives is the right move for you, consult with your doctor first.
