How Long Do Hip Replacements Last?

Dr. Harris: What I have here is a model of a hip replacement. In my right hand here is the half of a pelvis. This is the symphysis pubis, or right in the midline, and this would be the bump on the outside that people frequently refer to as being their hip. So the replacement involves putting a new socket in and a new ball, and then the stem to hold that where it belongs. Put the pieces together, and you get now new motion, but instead of having bone on bone or rough surface on a rough surface, you have a highly polished femoral head and a fancy plastic on the inside. Question that I'm asked frequently is, "How long will it last?" Well, this is an interesting question, because we don't exactly know. What I mean by that is the replacements that were put in before about the year 2000, this plastic here was the weak link. The plastic would wear out, and the plastic debris would spread into the joint capsule, and the joint fluid, and the body would then try to digest the plastic, we don't have the enzymes to do it, but in that attempt, instead, it would digest all the bone around and the implants would come loose. The materials that have been available since about the turn of the century, though, are really, really good, and they have been bench tested for survivorship at a simulated 30 years worth of activity, and this is true both for hips and knees. And now they've been in people for a good 20 years, and so far, it's living up to its hype. So now we can give people in their mid 50s, maybe early 50s, an a hip or knee replacement and say that there's a very high chance that it will last the rest of their lifetime.

#orthopedicsurgeon #orthopaedicspecialist #orthopaedics #hipreplacementsurgeon #jointreplacementsurgeon #hipreplacement #hipreplacementrecovery

Click here to learn more about Dr. Harris: https://bit.ly/SAOS--Harris

We are patient-focused orthopedic specialists dedicated to providing our local community in San Antonio, Texas, with the highest quality orthopedic services. Our board-certified physicians have all been fellowship subspecialty trained, and we are committed to providing you and your loved ones with the care and attention they deserve.

Request an Appointment Here: https://bit.ly/SAOS-contact
Like Us on Facebook:   / saorthospecialists  
Follow Us on Instagram: @saorthospecialists
Phone: (210) 614-5100
Address: 225 East Sonterra Blvd. Suite 220 San Antonio, Texas 78258