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Prairie du Sac, Wis. -
A promising new treatment for individuals suffering from hip
pain - hip resurfacing - gives younger, active people between
30 and 60 an alternative to total hip replacement. Hip resurfacing,
which spares more bone than total hip replacement, is turning
out good results, according to several Sauk Prairie Memorial
Hospital & Clinics (SPMHC) orthopedists.
"Hip resurfacing is a good option for
the younger person who has degenerative arthritis, in whom
we are reluctant to proceed with a total hip replacement because
they typically only last 15-20 years," said Dr. Diana
Kruse, an orthopedic surgeon in Sauk City, Wis.
The procedure's real benefit, according
to Kruse, is that it preserves more bone than total hip replacement.
Dr. Arnold Rosenthal, an orthopedic surgeon at Orthopedic
Associates of Sauk Prairie agreed. In his 25-year career,
Rosenthal has performed more than 600 total hip replacements.
Along with Kruse and Rosenthal, there are two other SPMHC
orthopedists who perform hip resurfacing, including Dr. Michael
Lamson and Dr. Matthew Hebert.
"Hip resurfacing is a more conservative
procedure because it saves more bone, which gives you options
down the road to convert to a total hip replacement,"
said Rosenthal. "On young, active people, the risk of
needing another surgery is more common than in older patients.
If you need a second procedure, saving all that bone is a
great advantage. I think patients can be more aggressive with
hip resurfacing knowing there is a good second option - a
total hip replacement."
Dr. William Niedermeier of Orthopedic Associates
agrees that total hip replacement remains an extremely good
option for patients who are not likely to wear out the prosthesis
during their lifetime. "New surfaces used for the prosthesis
may greatly improve its longevity. In fact, a recent study
published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery shows a
95-98 percent success rate at 15 years for the metal on polyethylene
joint, and the new surfaces should last much longer,"
said Niedermeier.
Lamson agreed, "I think hip resurfacing
is a great option, but patients need to find out what works
for them."
Although hip resurfacing is relatively new
to the United States, it has been used in Europe for more
than a decade, according to Kruse. SPMHC surgeons are among
the first doctors in Wisconsin to have performed hip resurfacings,
and are doing so with great success. "Sauk is a very
unique place because we do an inordinately large number of
orthopedic cases and patients get small-town caring from staff
at the same time," said Rosenthal.
John Turner, a 55-year-old farmer in Baraboo,
Wis., underwent both procedures. Eighteen months ago, he had
his right hip replaced with great results. A year later -
once the procedure was available - his other hip was resurfaced,
also with great results. Both surgeries were completed successfully
at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital.
"The cartilage was gone in both joints,"
said Turner. "It was bone on bone. I was in a lot of
pain before the surgeries and only doing 25 percent of what
I wanted to do. I couldn't walk any distance."
Today, Turner is pain-free. In his view,
there were only subtle differences in recovery and mobility
between the two procedures. "I had less pain right after
surgery with the resurfacing and I had a lot easier time walking
right away," he said. "I had therapy with both and
was on crutches for both. I think I have more mobility with
the resurfaced hip than the other one."
The real benefit for Turner is that if the
resurfaced hip wears out, the procedure is easily revised
into a total hip replacement down the road, according to Kruse.
Studies in Europe indicate a resurfaced hip lasts an average
of 10-15 years, she said.
Bill Bockenhauer, a 54-year-old science
teacher at Baraboo High School, also found relief from chronic
pain after Kruse resurfaced his hip last March. "My right
hip had been bothering me for a long time," he said.
"The pain affected my posture and gait. I could deal
with it, but it was hard and it had an impact on what I did."
Two days after surgery, Bockenhauer was
released from the hospital, and by the end of the second month
home, was able to walk short distances without a walker. "I
am most definitely glad I did it," he said. "I am
much more mobile in my classroom than a year ago. It has improved
my posture because I'm not favoring a tender, sore hip, and
I am walking much better."
While hip resurfacing is geared toward younger,
active people, total hip replacement is ideal for the older
population. "At some point in time hip resurfacing may
extend to a larger population of people, but in the older
age group, total hip replacement has a good track record of
success and pain relief," said Kruse.
Individuals interested in learning more
should schedule an appointment with an orthopedist. Be sure
to find out if your insurance plan requires a referral from
your primary care physician. For more information about hip
resurfacing at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, you can also
call (608) 644-3000.
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X-ray of hip resurfacing
What is Hip Resurfacing?
An alternative to total hip replacement for younger, active
patients, hip resurfacing is a procedure in which cartilage
is removed from the surface of the femoral (thigh bone) head
and replaced with a metal cap. Resurfacing keeps more bone
in tact than traditional hip replacement surgery. It is recommended
for people who may wear out a total hip replacement during
their lifetime. Since more bone is preserved during hip resurfacing,
it makes hip replacement an option down the road.
In total hip replacement the head and neck
of the femur (thigh bone) are removed and replaced with a
prosthesis. This is generally a procedure targeted to an older
population, as the prosthesis lasts between 15 and 20 years.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Simply call to schedule an appointment with the orthopedic
surgeons trained in hip resurfacing at either of the following
clinics:
Orthopedic
Associates
35 Prairie Avenue, Prairie du Sac, 608-643-2471
Diana
L. Kruse, MD
208 Phillips Blvd., Sauk City,
608-644-0109
X-ray of total hip replacement
To learn more about Sauk Prairie Memorial
Hospital & Clinics' orthopedic
services, click here.
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