Total Hip Replacement in Naples, FL
Total Hip Replacement (THR), also known as total hip arthroplasty, is one of the most significant surgical advances of the last century. Introduced to the United States in the 1960s, total hip replacement is now one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures. New technology and techniques have dramatically increased the success rate and effectiveness of the procedure. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeon (AAOS), more than 193,000 total hip replacements are performed yearly in the United States.
What is Total Hip Replacement?
Total hip replacement surgery is an orthopedic procedure, in which unhealthy cartilage and bone are removed from the hip joint and replaced with artificial implants to alleviate pain, stiffness, and immobility. To perform this procedure, the head of the femur, or thighbone, is removed and the surface of the pelvic cavity that holds the femur, known as the acetabulum, is shaved down to clean off debris from damaged bone and tissue. The head of the femur is replaced with a metal ball, supported by a stem positioned within the femoral neck. Next, the resurfaced acetabulum is replaced with a plastic or metal cup. The result is a new femoral head and hip socket that imitate the natural hip’s function and restore the patient’s ability to walk and move with significantly less pain.
Total Hip Replacement: Indications
There are a number of reasons for patients to undergo total hip replacement surgery, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or traumatic injury. Affecting approximately 10 million Americans1, osteoarthritis is the most common indication for total hip arthroplasty. Additionally, hip joint deformity and deterioration due to rheumatoid arthritis can be surgically repaired through total hip replacement.
Trauma to the hip can also cause considerable damage, to the extent that the hip joint must be surgically repaired. Older patients, whose cartilaginous lining has worn down, may damage the hip during a fall. Oftentimes, these traumatic falls are significant enough to warrant total hip replacement.
Total Hip Replacement Specialist in South Florida
Dr. Kurtis Biggs is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who has completed an orthopedic surgical residency, as well as served a fellowship in joint replacement at the world renowned Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Biggs is the founder and lead surgeon of the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples.
Make an appointment at Dr. Biggs’ Naples, Florida, office.
1. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00213&webid=24D9E152