Advanced repair or replacement
Joint revision surgery can help relieve pain and restore function in joints that have undergone a previous procedure. It's not unusual for artificial hip, shoulder, elbow and knee joints to require revision. Even when the initial outcome of the original replacement procedure is good, the need for revision can arise for a variety of reasons, including:
Normal wear of an artificial joint. Most prostheses have a life of 10 to 20 years. As time passes, an artificial joint may fit less securely and lose effectiveness or break.
Pain. Any pain or discomfort that persists after recovery from a joint procedure may indicate one or more problems and could be a reason to consider revision.
Infection of surrounding tissue. Infection can cause weakness or damage to the joint.
Structural defects. Debris from components of an artificial joint can cause problems.
Musculoskeletal tumors. This serious condition in the joint or surrounding soft tissue can lead to functional impairment.
Specialized joint revision treatment for complex challenges
Correction of a previous joint repair or replacement is typically more complex than an initial joint procedure. The cause, previous damage and structural issues complicate these cases and call for specialized expertise.
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth features experienced joint revision surgeons on the medical staff.
So if you have previously undergone a joint repair or replacement procedure that may need a second look, call 1.844.BSW.DOCS (1.844.279.3627) or search our online directory for a referral to an orthopedic specialist in Fort Worth.
Hip fracture
Most of the time, hip fractures are caused by a fall or direct blow to the hip. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and more likely to break. For someone with osteoporosis, a break can happen during regular activity like standing up from a chair or walking.
Some causes of osteoporosis include:
- Aging
- Family history
- Nutrition
- Lifestyle
- Medication
- Illness
The treatment for your hip fracture starts by making sure you are medically stable. After this, decisions about how to treat the fracture can be made. Most hip fractures are treated with surgery to repair the broken bones. Sometimes surgery is not recommended because of other health concerns. In this situation, your healthcare team will discuss other treatment options with you.
Most hip fractures are treated in one of the following ways:
- Metal pins: Two or three metal pins are used to hold the broken bones together while they heal.
- Metal plates and screws: A plate on the outside of the bone and a large screw are used to hold the broken pieces of bone in place while they heal.
- Intramedullary nail (IM nail): A rod on the inside of the bone and a large screw are used to hold the pieces in place.: A rod on the inside of the bone and a large screw are used to hold the pieces in place.
- Artificial replacement: With a hemiarthroplasty (partial replacement), the ball of the femur is replaced with an artificial ball. A stem goes down into the thigh bone to hold the ball in position. The hip socket is left in place. With a total hip arthroplasty (total hip replacement), both the ball and the socket are replaced with an artificial hip. The artificial hip joint is made of metal and plastic parts.