Hip Replacement

**BlairT** · 24-08-2006, 05:39 PM

Hi there,

I am currently doing an enginreering project based around total hip replacements. I have been to see an operation performed, but i can't accurately remeber how much of the femur is stripped and pulled outside of the surrounding leg muscle. i.e. how much is "open to the air". If anyone has any reasonable estimates, either in actual length or proportion of the entire femur, it would be much appreciated.

Blair

**Admin** · 24-08-2006, 05:46 PM

Check out Wheeless:

http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/...ral_approach_1

**borys11** · 16-03-2008, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by BlairT

Hi there,

I am currently doing an enginreering project based around total hip replacements. I have been to see an operation performed, but i can't accurately remeber how much of the femur is stripped and pulled outside of the surrounding leg muscle. i.e. how much is "open to the air". If anyone has any reasonable estimates, either in actual length or proportion of the entire femur, it would be much appreciated.

Blair

Only the head and the neck of femur are exposed to the air during surgery. If You want to know more about total hip replacement please visit: www.ortopedia.edu.pl

**Andria** · 07-11-2008, 10:21 AM

I had both of my hips replaced in separate surgeries several months apart. That was 4 years ago. I don't know what you have heard that is "bad" about this surgery. Since it is performed only on people who have basically lost all the cartilage in their joint and have lost a lot of their quality of life, I find it difficult to see a downside to this surgery. It is one of the most successful surgeries performed today in terms of how it relieves pain and restores function. It is truly a miracle surgery and I am living (and walking!) proof.

That said, it still is major surgery with all the risks that might go along with such a procedure. However in reasonably healthy people who can safely undergo the procedure (the doctor will do a pre-op physical) and who can cooperate in their post-op rehabilitation, it is a safe procedure. Rehabilitation can take time and can be hard work. Regular exercising and adhering to post-op movement restrictions is essential to avoid complications.

The surgeon will tell the patient about the possible complications and what he will do and what the patient can do to avoid them. It is encouraging to observe that this surgery has almost become routine in hospitals. When I had mine, they had a notebook prepared for the patient that went through everything that would happen each day of the stay.

**BlairT** · 10-11-2008, 08:42 PM

Andria,

I did not say anything was bad about the surgery. I actually happen to think its one of the most remarkable procedures healthcare can offer a patient and i believe it to have one of the biggest gain in HRQoL years (health related quality of life) of all medical procedures.

My question related specifically to the mechanics of the hip replacement operation, and not as to whether or not the surgery was "bad".

Thanks for your input.

BlairT

**agneishd** · 15-12-2008, 09:49 PM

A reliable source tells me that the skin incision is about 15-20cm, with the head, neck, and trochanter of the femur being exposed. I also hear that minimal invasive ops are being tried (incisions of 10cm or less).

Don't quote me on this though!