Dr. Aleix Vida'ls team

Hip arthroscopy is performed under general anesthesia. The patient usually stays overnight, although the trend is gradually changing to outpatient surgery.

Above we can appreciate femoral head changes that provoke narrowing of the joint space known as hip osteoarthritis. Below the damaged joint has been replaced with a hip prosthesis.

A joint prosthesis or joint replacement refers to an artificial replacement of a degenerated joint.

The prosthesis components are made of different materials: titanium, steel, polyethylene and ceramic... Depending on which component we refer to it is important to distinguish between "bone-anchor material" and "friction material". In hip arthritis the cartilage that surrounds the femoral head tends to lose its moisture. Drying and cracking result in articular irregularities and sometimes produce loose bodies. These loose bodies and cracks cause pain.

prótesis_cadera1 prótesis_cadera2

The surgeon must conform and adapt the bone to the components of the prosthesis. This process is called anchoring or presfitting. There are two ways to facilitate the anchoring of the prosthesis to the bone:

1. Shaping the bone so that the prosthetic components are perfectly adjusted to the bone, these are "un-cemented prosthesis".
2. Using a "cement" that binds the bone-prosthesis interface which acts and adapts the irregularities of the bony anatomy.

The use of either technique depends on the individual's age and state or quality of bone.

The procedure is performed under epidural anesthesia. It procedure usually takes around 75 minutes. The stay at the clinic ranges from 5 to 8 days, and can be extended or shortened depending on the patient's condition.

Hip prostheses have a limited life. Generally speaking there is no need to replace the hip prosthesis and statistics show that 85% of hip prosthesis are still in place after 20 years. In some exceptional cases you may need a second surgery due to the loosening or wearing of the prosthesis. The reasons for this loosening can be diverse:

1. In the case of cemented prosthesis the loss of consistency of the cement
2. Late infection, due to any possible outbreak or secondary infections

The so called "polyethylene disease" caused by wear due to friction of the materials in the prosthesis. Over time, small particles can break off causing bone destruction or loosening (osteolysis).

Therefore, it is advisable to perform periodic controls, usually after the first month, the first year, 5 years and 10 years of follow-up.