A fracture of the femoral neck, or the area of the thigh bone just below the “ball,” can sometimes result in the “ball” becoming displaced, or knocked off of the rest of the bone. When this happens, a hemiarthroplasty is usually required to restore the ability to walk. A hemiarthroplasty involves placing a new, replacement ball made out of metal into the thigh bone. The procedure is often called a “half-hip replacement” because only the ball is replaced. Nothing is usually done to the “cup” or “socket” part of the joint. Recovery after a hemiarthroplasty can be prolonged, especially in patients who are older and weaker. However, the surgery does provide the ability to walk on the injured leg immediately – reducing the risk of problems related to prolonged immobilization such as blood clots, bed sores, pneumonia, and other issues. Dr. Bushnell has extensive experience in hemiarthroplasty surgery, with very fast average surgical times and a history of excellent clinical results.
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Hip Hemiarthroplasty