Hip fractures are a common orthopedic injury, especially among the older population, as they are more likely to break a bone when they fall.Most hip fractures require hip replacement, often in the form of Hemiarthroplasty. Since ease of movement is severely hampered after surgery, many patients are bothered by their lack of independence. Consequently, they often want to know – what is the down time for hemiarthroplasty procedure?
Hip Fracture
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, and a fracture of the hip very often affects the femoral neck, thereby impacting the ball portion of the joint. A hip fracture is often caused by a fall, but may also be the result of the natural wear-and-tear of the joint over time.
Hemiarthroplasty
Hemiarthroplasty is a procedure that is done to treat a hip fracture by replacing the ball portion of the joint. This differs from a total hip replacement, in which the entire ball and socket joint is replaced. During hemiarthroplasty, the femoral head is replaced with a prosthetic, while the socket is left intact.
Recovery and Downtime
Patients are generally required to undergo physical therapy after the procedure, in order to help restore function to the joint. Most patients benefit from the use of a cane or walker to aid mobility. The recovery after hip hemiarthroplasty is generally faster than after total hip arthroplasty, but a lot depends on the health of the patient. However, patients are usually able to walk unaided about 6 weeks after surgery.
Contact orthopedic surgeon Frank McCormick, MD of the LESS Institute in Miami, FL, for more information on the hemiarthroplasty procedure. Call 866-956-3837 to schedule an appointment. The LESS Institute also has offices in Doral, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton.