Each year there are thousands of people who require total hip replacement surgery
and have to go through the physical therapy that comes after the operation. Even more people however are wary of the possible side effects of this kind of operation, such as Metallosis which could possibly lead to birth defects. Fortunately for those who decide against total hip replacement surgery there are several types of alternatives to total hip replacement surgery.
Conservative management
Conservative management is the first alternative method to hip replacement surgery. Conservative management entails taking of certain medications, changing of daily movement routine and physical therapy. This alternative to the total hip replacement surgery is known to delay or even prevent the need for surgery all together.
Hemiarthroplasty
Hemiarthroplasty is one of the possible alternative to hip replacement surgery. This procedure entails one half of the joint being replaced with an artificial surface and leaves the other part in its natural state. This kind of surgery is usually done on the hip after a subcapital (just below the head) fracture on the neck of the femur. What will happen during this particular surgery is the surgeon will remove the head of the femur and replace it with an artificial prosthesis which mimics the natural movement of the hip joint. This type of surgery however, is usually done on the elderly because of their lower life expectancy and movement, since the prosthesis tends to loosen or to erode the acetabulum.
Hip resurfacing
Another common alternative to the total hip replacement surgery is Hip Resurfacing. In this particular operation a metal cap is placed on the femoral head instead of amputating it. This type of procedure is favored amongst athletes who partake in marathons and triathlons since there is no long stem placed on the femur so the hip moves more like a natural hip than other hip replacement alternatives.
There are so many people who have elected to have total hip replacement surgery. Many have actually had successful surgeries, however there are also those who have ill side effects because of the total hip replacement system they were implanted with. There are however, many more who have been affected by the DePuy hip replacement recall. If you feel that you are not ready for total hip replacement surgery then perhaps the alternatives above could be for you, before deciding on any medical procedure consult with your doctor.