While the surgical procedure of hip replacement is considered the most effective treatment for osteonecrosis, there are other options available for patients with a degenerated hip. Some hip replacement alternatives are non-surgical and involve artificial grafts, such as the free vascularized fibular graft. These alternative treatments help restore blood flow to the femoral head and can be used in stage two or three of osteonecrosis.You may want to check out Lincoln Hip Replacement Alternatives Organization for more.
Osteotomy is a less invasive surgery that realigns the bones in the hip joint. The surgeon makes a small incision and allows the patient to recover quickly. A hip osteotomy helps distribute the weight evenly in the joint and relieves pain. However, this procedure can only be performed on carefully selected patients.
Other hip replacement alternatives include exercise and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications can improve hip alignment and strengthen hip muscles. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, are prescribed by doctors to treat inflammation and pain. If these methods don’t work, a physical therapist can help strengthen the hip muscles.
Low-intensity exercises can help patients recover from surgery. However, the exercises should avoid impacting the joint and should not be performed during contact sports. Compression stockings are another option. After the surgery, patients must use walking aids for four to six weeks. The new hip may take about a year to fully function.
There are many risks associated with hip replacement surgery. This procedure is a major operation and is only recommended when other methods have failed. In most cases, conservative management of the symptoms, such as physical therapy and modifications of daily activities, can prevent or delay the surgical procedure. Metal-on-metal implants are also known to cause complications.
Aside from the risks and complications, hip implant revision may cause recurrent hip dislocation. Although this condition is uncommon, the risk of dislocation is greatest in the first few months after surgery. Fortunately, most cases of hip dislocation are treatable by a closed reduction. Other risks may include a loosening of the prosthesis due to daily activity and osteolysis, a biologic thinning of bone.
Another type of hip replacement alternative involves arthroscopic surgery. These procedures are performed on patients with minor damage to articular cartilage in their hip. These procedures are usually performed on younger patients and have over 90% success rates. These procedures are less invasive than hip replacement surgery and can also be used to treat early-stage arthritis.
Another hip replacement alternative is known as partial hip replacement. Partial hip replacement replaces the femur head and ball, and is a good choice for patients with arthritis or bone disease. Partial hip replacement also replaces the femur head, which can be a good option if the femur has been damaged in an accident.
Another option is hip resurfacing. This procedure is less invasive than traditional hip replacement, and involves less bone removal. Traditional hip replacement involves removing the entire ball of the hip joint. Resurfacing, on the other hand, replaces only the metal cap on the ball. This method helps patients alleviate pain by preserving as much bone as possible, while allowing for a faster recovery.
