HIP REPLACEMENT Surgical Procedures

Dr. Buechel is a world renowned specialist in hip joint replacement and revision joint replacement surgeries. Some conditions of the hip that require hip replacement surgery include:
  • AVASCULAR NECROSIS (AVN), better known as osteonecrosis “death of the bone” is a condition in which the hip has lost the critical blood supply to the femoral head. This can cause the bone to collapse at the weakened site and arthritis may set in. There are several factors, which have been associated with this disease, which includes alcohol abuse or chronic use of corticosteriods.
  • OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) is commonly referred to as degenerative arthritis. It is the gradual wearing down of the surfaces of the hip joint. The bone becomes exposed within the joint and activity is painful. This disease causes frequent and persistent pain and decreased activity level of the individual. When the condition becomes severe, surgery is an alternative to the pain.
  • RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) This type of arthritis usually affects more than one joint. The person's immune system is affected and cartilage is destroyed by the person's own body.
  • POST-TRAUMATIC ARTHRITIS (PTA) is a trauma-related arthritis. This type of arthritis results when the joint is injured by a fracture, dislocation and/or damage to the joint or cartilage surface
TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT surgery is the stem-type replacement where the surgeon removes the two damaged and worn parts of the hip joint which are the acetabulum (hip socket) and the femoral head (ball). These worn parts are then replaced with smooth, artificial implant components. The surgery helps alleviate pain and provide a strong, stable and flexible hip again. RESURFACING HIP REPLACEMENT surgery is very popular, expeically with younger patients who suffer from severe osteoarthritis. The decision to perform this procedure is determined by diagnosis, the age of the patient, activity level and the patient's expectations. The resurfacing hip replacement offers a long-term outcome for younger, active patients while saving bone for later revision surgery, if necessary. The conservative approach to hip replacement accounts for the popularity of this procedure. HEMI HIP REPLACEMENT surgery (also known as Hemiarthroplasty) involves replacing half of the hip joint with a prosthesis while leaving the other half intact. This approach is less invasive and primarily used for displaced hip fractures. An evaluation will determine whether a patient is a candidate for this procedure.