Home

Hip surgery

What is osteoarthritis?

These are signs of wear and tear of joint surfaces. This means that the joint cartilage layer has become thinner and/or partially worn away completely. In the further course of this disease, pain, inflammation of the joint capsule with swelling of the surrounding tissue and effusion formation in the affected joint may occur. If no improvement is achieved through physiotherapy or other forms of therapy, or if the pain is unacceptable or the quality of life is significantly reduced, the replacement of the damaged joint with an artificial joint is considered.

How is an artificial hip joint constructed?

A modern artificial hip joint consists of four parts, the hip stem with a ball head and the acetabular cup with a cup insert. The hip stem and the acetabular cup are anchored in the bone without cement. They are made of biocompatible titanium alloys with a special surface structuring and a microcrystalline calcium phosphate coating, which accelerates the ingrowth process of the bone to the implant. The head and the cup insert serve as a sliding pair.

 

ImplanTec Filmworld
Would you like to hear the stories of some patients? You can find these in our filmworld.

Learn more

 

Surgery technique

A surgical technique that is as gentle as possible is essential for your early mobilisation and the success of the operation. Therefore, it is important that in the course of the minimally invasive surgical technique, the preservation of the musculature, the nerves, the tendons and the bone substance as well as the reduced blood loss are in the foreground. Buzzwords such as MIS (minimally invasive), AMIS (anterior minimally invasive) or ALMIS® (anterolateral minimally invasive) stand for these gentle surgical techniques. Among many other advantages, the gentle minimally invasive approach to the hip joint brings a significant reduction in pain. This leads to faster rehabilitation, a shorter hospital stay as well as a quick return to your daily activities.

 

How does such an operation proceed?

After thorough planning, the implants to be used are determined before the operation. Under partial or general anaesthesia, the bony bearings are prepared for the artificial joint components. For this purpose, all cartilage parts are removed from the natural acetabulum in the pelvic bone in order to provide a firm anchorage for the artificial socket. For the artificial socket, a suitable bearing is made in the thigh bone. For this, it is necessary to remove the destroyed femoral head. The implants are then joined together to form a joint. Due to the special implant shape and surface structure, the bone grows into the structure of the implant and thus achieves a long-term, biological anchorage.

 

What should be observed after the operation?

The treatment after the operation depends on the general condition of the patient. In principle, mobilisation begins on the first day after the operation. You will be informed in detail by the doctor who will be treating you about which movements you should still refrain from or which you should still be careful with. In addition, you will perform light gymnastic exercises under supervision. These exercises are very important and reduce the risk of complications. Later, depending on the initial findings, intensive physiotherapy adapted to your needs will follow.

 

Q&A
Still unanswered questions?

Click here for our Q&A.

Learn more