Bone-Sparing, Total Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty Surgery (Metal-on-Metal Device)
Last updated Friday, January 18, 2008
Preparing for surgeryPreparation
Total hip resurfacing arthroplasty
is an option for healthy, active, and motivated individuals in whom arthritis
interferes with hip function.
A successful outcome can be
influenced by good communication between the patient and the surgeon. Patients
should optimize their health prior to surgery. Smoking should be stopped a
month before surgery and not resumed for at least several months afterwards (if
ever). Any heart, lung, kidney, bladder, or dental problems should be managed
before surgery; infection could be a reason to postpone surgery. The hip
surgeon needs to be aware of all health issues, including allergies and the
non-prescription (herbal medicines, St. John’s wort, etc.) and prescription medications being taken.
Some of these medicines might need to be discontinued before surgery –
especially those that may increase a patient's likelihood to bleed. Since blood
transfusion might be necessary, patients may choose to have a blood bank draw
and store their own blood for a possible transfusion.
Before surgery, patients should
consider the limitations, alternatives and risks of surgery. Patients should
also recognize that the result of surgery depends in large part on their
efforts in rehabilitation after surgery.
It is recommended that patients
continue to walk and exercise, if possible, before surgery so that the muscles
around the hip are not overly deconditioned.
The
patient must plan to be less functional than normal immediately after surgery.
Driving, shopping and performing usual work or chores likely will be difficult
during this time. Plans for necessary assistance should be made before surgery.
For individuals who live alone or those without readily available help,
arrangements for home help should be made well in advance.Timing Total
hip resurfacing arthroplasty can be delayed until the time that is best for the
patient’s overall well-being.Costs The patient’s insurance provider
can provide a reasonable estimate of the following:
- the
surgeon's fee
- the
hospital fee
-
the degree to which these should be covered by
the patient's insurance
Surgical team Total
hip resurfacing arthroplasty is a technically demanding procedure that should
be performed by an experienced surgeon in a medical center accustomed to
performing hip replacements at least several times a month.Finding an experienced surgeon Because
the resurfacing-arthroplasty devices have received approval only recently in
the United States, many communities do not have surgeons trained in this
procedure. The device manufacturers require that surgeons who implant their
devices be properly trained for technique. Surgeons specializing in hip joint
replacement may be located through the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Web site, university schools of medicine,
county or state medical or orthopaedic organizations.Facilities Total
hip resurfacing arthroplasty is usually performed in a major medical center whose
surgeons perform these procedures on a regular basis. These centers have
surgical teams and facilities specially designed for such surgery. They also
have nurses and therapists accustomed to assisting patients in their recovery
from hip-replacement surgery.Surgery for Total Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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