Hemiarthroplasty is a surgical technique used to replace part of a joint with an artificial implant, often performed in cases of hip or shoulder fractures or arthritis. The patient must stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery and undergo physical therapy as follow-up treatment.
Hemiarthroplasty is a surgical technique used to replace part of a joint with an artificial implant. It is usually performed in cases of a hip fracture or a degenerative condition such as shoulder arthritis. A hemiarthroplasty can help restore motion and prevent health complications that can result from prolonged immobilization. Generally, the patient must stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery and physical therapy is usually recommended as follow-up treatment.
The hip ball joint connects the top of the femur – the thighbone – to the pelvis. A hip fracture can involve the femoral neck, which is the part of the bone near the ball of the joint. Injuries to this area can impair blood supply to the top of the femur, so the fracture may not heal well; such a fracture could cause the bone to die and fail. This type of hip fracture is often treated with a hemiarthroplasty, in which a prosthetic device is placed in one half of the hip joint.
A hemiarthroplasty might also help treat a shoulder fracture. Sometimes this surgical procedure is performed on patients who have arthritis in the shoulder, the joint that sits where the upper arm bone and the shoulder blade meet. In such cases, the arthritic joint may be partially replaced. A metal ball might be implanted in the upper arm bone to help the shoulder function better.
Your surgeon may use general or regional anesthesia to perform a hemiarthroplasty. Usually, the procedure involves accessing the joint and implanting the prosthesis. When the socket is in good condition, only the spherical part of the joint is replaced with a prosthetic device. Usually, the prosthetic device consists of a metal stem and ball; the metal ball goes into the joint socket.
The surgeon may use a form of cement to bond the prosthesis to the bone. Alternatively, the surgeon may prefer a prosthesis that has small holes in the surface; the patient’s bone grows through the mesh and binds the implant.
The patient can be kept in the hospital for three to seven days after the surgery. Typically, the patient is provided with pain relief for any discomfort they may be experiencing. Normally, a physical therapist helps the patient move around in the days following surgery. You may need a walking aid for a few weeks after a hip hemiarthroplasty. Usually, precautions are recommended to the patient to take while performing daily activities to avoid stress on the joint and prevent dislocation.
Generally, physical therapy continues after the patient leaves the hospital and may be conducted in a rehabilitation facility. The physical therapist might recommend various exercises to improve mobility, improve range of motion, and allow the patient to return to normal activities.
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