Total Hip Replacement Vs Partial
Does the following sound like you:
Do you have severe pain and stiffness in your hip as a result of a car or sports-related injury, a fracture from a fall, or simply from normal joint wear and tear? Also, you aren’t able to sleep through the night because of hip pain, or you can’t sit at your desk for a long span of time, or you can’t even put on your shoes and socks.
If the above instances seem familiar, then you might need a total hip replacement or a partial hip replacement surgery.
What is a Hip Replacement?
Hip replacement surgery is a procedure that involves the replacement of a natural joint with an artificial joint. If you have debilitating hip pain and the joint is not functioning properly due to wear, disease, or injury, a partial or total hip replacement may be required. If you have severe arthritis and are unable to climb stairs or perform routine activities, surgery to restore function and return you to an active lifestyle may be recommended.
Patients frequently inquire whether they require a partial or total hip replacement. The answer is different for each patient. We can only determine which procedure is best for you after thoroughly reviewing your imaging studies and joint and overall health conditions.
Who needs Hip Replacement surgery?
Individuals suffering from moderate to severe pain and stiffness, limited mobility, and chronic inflammation and swelling may benefit from a hip replacement. Patients who do not find any relief following conservative treatments such as steroid or lubricating injections, anti-inflammatories, other surgeries, or physical therapy fall into this category.
Hip replacement surgery is most commonly performed on people aged 50 to 80. They have, however, been done successfully in juveniles and young adults and can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years, depending on an individual’s activity levels.
Partial hip replacement is performed in a very small subset of patients due to the evolution and success of total hip replacement over the past decades. Partial hip replacement entails replacing the femoral head with a prosthetic stem and head. The acetabulum, which forms the socket of the hip joint, is not replaced in partial hip replacement.
Difference between Partial and total Hip Replacement
Basis | Total Hip Replacement | Partial Hip Replacement |
Definition | In total hip replacement surgery, both the ball and socket components of the joint are artificially replaced. Future stress on the remaining natural socket, as well as any associated pain and complications, can be avoided by replacing both pieces. Patients who have had a successful total hip replacement can resume a fully active lifestyle with ease and can reasonably expect the replacement to function well for the next 20 years or even beyond. Patients who are candidates for this surgery typically have moderate to severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or severe hip joint damage. | This is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a patient’s femoral head. The patient’s hip socket remains intact after a partial hip surgery. Partial hip replacement surgery is performed on older patients to repair a specific hip fracture. When the socket of the hip joint is healthy, this surgery is an option. The ball portion of the joint is only replaced with a metal, ceramic, or plastic ball, and stem in a partial replacement. |
Mode of surgery | Healthy patients can have outpatient surgery during this procedure. Outpatient surgery allows patients to recover at home after surgery, which has both health and financial benefits. | Same as Total Hip Replacement |
Types | Anterior approach – This incision is usually vertical in the front of the hip, but it can also be horizontal. This method allows the surgeon to access the joint by separating the musculature in the front of the thigh. This method has the fewest precautions, but there are still some to protect the implant from dislocation while you heal. During the initial few weeks post-surgery, avoid reaching your hip backwards (extension) and rotating your hip outward (external rotation). Posterior approach – A curved incision will be made from the side to the back of the hip. The buttox musculature must be cut through by the surgeon. This provides the surgeon with a clear view of the hip. This method does require you to take extra precautions after surgery to keep the new joint from dislocating while you heal. Avoid crossing your legs, turning in your toes, and bending your hips more than 90 degrees. Lateral Approach – Just like posterior approach, in this approach too, the surgeon has a larger view of the hip by cutting through some glute muscles. Precautions will be the same as with a later approach. Precautions are typically kept for 6-12 weeks, depending on your surgeon’s protocol. | There are two types of partial hip replacement: Unipolar and Bipolar. The Unipolar Replacement is uncommon, and the majority of partial hip replacement surgeries are bipolar. The prosthetic head of the femur in a bipolar hip replacement is actually made up of two balls. Inside the larger metallic ball, a smaller metallic ball rotates. To provide a smooth rotating surface, a high-grade polyethylene plastic covers the inner metal ball. In contrast to Bipolar partial hip replacements, unipolar partial hip replacements only have a head that is firmly attached to the prosthesis’s stem. The bipolar design improves stability and movement while also protecting the articular cartilage. The ball in ball design is modeled after the socket of a total hip replacement. |
Benefits | High rate of success Overall, total hip replacement is regarded as one of the most successful medical procedures available. When carried out aptly, this surgery could prove to be an effective, safe, and long-lasting way to treat many of the orthopedic issues associated with severe hip arthritis. Gets you rid of the pain This is one of the topmost advantages of the procedure and the primary reason for surgery. A hip replacement can provide significant pain relief, with almost all patients experiencing complete or near-complete relief from arthritic hip pain. Improved hip mobility and function Following pain relief, increased mobility is the next major advantage. After a total hip replacement, you should be able to walk freely again. The improved hip function should also help significantly with other common hip arthritis problems, such as going up the stairs, putting on socks, getting up from a chair, and so on.
Long-lasting results A hip replacement is a long-term solution to the problems associated with severe hip arthritis. According to current research, 80-85% of hip replacements remain functional even after 20 years of their implantation. | Experts suggest that total hip replacement is always better than partial surgery. Having said that, partial hip replacement has a few of the following benefits:
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Also Read: Hip replacement recovery timeline
Consult Dr. Muthana Sartawi – Our knee and hip surgeon and expert
It is clear that both hip replacement procedures can be effective for providing relief to patients who are suffering from painful hip conditions. However, the decision of which procedure is best for you should ultimately be made in consultation with Dr. Muthana Sartawi. Through a comprehensive evaluation and discussion of your individual needs and goals, Dr. Sartawi will provide personalized advice on whether partial or total hip replacement surgery is best suited to you.
With his strong know-how and years of experience in this field, you can trust him to help make an informed decision about which procedure will work best for your long-term health benefits.
Book an appointment today!
