Posted , 6 users are following.
I'm sure I should know this but have read about the risk of joint loosening in the future for both hemiarthroplasty and THR. I've had a hemi as only my femur was broken but don't know what "loosening " means in practical terms. What causes it, how do you avoid it and most importantly, what problems does it give you if the joint loosens? Grateful if someone could explain.
0 likes, 6 replies
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AlexandriaGizmo carol19895
Posted
Hi because you had a fracture and a fix with only the head/ball being replaced it will all depend on different factors as to whether it loosens or not.
Age, weight, level of activities, so its not just it will it want.
AlexandriaGizmo carol19895
Posted
Don't know why my message has been removed but it has sorry, it was just explain
carol19895 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
AlexandriaGizmo carol19895
Posted
Seems strange I dont think i even added the link i was reading, or did i LOL and as far as I know I didn't put anything untoward,
If it doesn't come up I will repost if I can remember exactly what I put.
I did ask your age and life style and erm weight, hope that wasn't why, you don't have to answer LOL
renee01952 carol19895
Posted
Hi Carol,
no worries, darling ... there is not much information given to us (the patients) and during doctor's visit I am usually so overwhelmed that I don't ask for explanations ..
You had a hemiarthroplast due to broken femur - this means that you got the ball replaced and stem placed in femur .. the socket is left in tact ... (with full hip replacement surgery, ball and socket are replaced)
The main reason that joint implants eventually fail continues to be loosening of the metal or cement from the bone.
Great advances have been made in extending how long artificial replacement parts will last, but most will eventually loosen and require a revision. Hopefully, you can expect 15 - 20 years of service from replacement parts for the hip, but in some cases the hip will loosen earlier than that.
A loose hip is a problem because it causes pain. Once the pain becomes unbearable, another operation will probably be required to revise the hip.
for you it might be a total hipreplacement ...
Because of this, surgeons tell us to avoid heavy sports, contact sports, heavy lifting in order to reserve the hardware - this does not mean that you cannot exercise (treadmill is fine because you are not pounding the ground), or if you are already a golfer, play tennis, ski etc. you can continue doing these sports after THR -
Please note that this is my interpretation, okay ... we are all different - please try not to worry too much about the future -
you are doing a great job right now in getting stronger - wishing you continued healing and if you have any questions or concerns, please come back ...
big warm hug
renee
kimberley38758 carol19895
Posted
I found this information online.
Hip replacement loosening occurs over time, and can cause problems with the normal function of the hip replacement prosthesis. When a hip replacement is placed into the body, it is either press-fit into the bone, or cemented into position. Either way, it is fit tightly into the bone of the thigh (femur) and pelvis so that the implant cannot move. When implants loosen, the hip replacement can begin to move small amounts. Usually, this is associated with increasing pain and loss of motion experienced by the patient.