Hip Replacement Surgery in Sonora

Understand the hip replacement process

During hip replacement surgery, an arthritic joint is prepared by removing worn and damaged joint surfaces and replacing or resurfacing the joint surfaces with a metal and plastic artificial joint.

The process has several steps:

• The head of the femur (thigh bone) is removed.
• Arthritic debris, damaged cartilage and damaged bone in the socket is cleaned out to prepare for the new metal socket. Bone cuts are made with precision so your leg is aligned correctly and its length stays the same.
• A porous-coated new metal socket is pressed into place in the freshly prepared bone socket. The new liner — either plastic, metal or ceramic — is placed within the metal socket.
• A metal stem is placed within the internal canal of the thigh bone. A head is placed on the top of the stem, either metal or ceramic.

Artificial hip components

The type of hip components chosen by your surgeon are based on your age, activity level and bone quality. The components may be cemented into position with a polymer plastic bone cement. Alternatively, the components may be press-fit components, in which your bone will gradually attach to the prosthesis over a period of several months.

Addressing “recalls”

Periodic media reports and attorney ads raise concerns regarding "recalls" of artificial joint systems. The majority of artificial joint recalls in the past 10 years have involved newer prosthetic designs.

These are systems that have only a short track record of durability or survivorship studies. The orthopedic surgeons at Adventist Health Sonora select artificial joint systems that have a long track record of success and durability. Please feel free to discuss this with your surgeon.