What Is A Hip Fracture?

Hip fractures can occur in several different ways, but they usually occur in the femoral neck area of the bone. This is a thin section of the thigh bone that helps to connect the "ball" end of the bone to the main shaft. A fracture in this region can cut blood supply to vital joint parts and cause irreversible damage, which we cannot treat with conservative methods. Surgery is often necessary to repair such an injury effectively. If you experience severe pain in your hip, seek medical attention right away. 

What Is A Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty?

Surgery is an effective treatment option for patients with femoral neck fractures, primarily performed by an experienced group of surgeons. When the head of the femur is fractured, a hemiarthroplasty may be necessary to fix the hip and reduce pain/mobility restrictions. This procedure replaces one half of the hip joint with a prosthetic while leaving the other half intact. For patients with arthritis in their remaining hip joint from having previously suffered a fracture, it's best to use a bipolar version with a head that swivels during movement. This helps reduce the amount of wear and tear on your new hip joint for longer-lasting results!

An advantage of bipolar hemiarthroplasty is that it means less stress and strain for patients than in total hip arthroplasty. Patients also tend to experience greater stability and a lower risk of protrusion into the acetabulum than in classical hip hemiarthroplasty.

What Should I Expect During My Hip Surgery?

During a hemiarthroplasty procedure, the damaged femoral head and neck are removed and replaced with a small spherical artificial ball (prosthetic) held in place by either cement or acrylic bone cement. Physical therapy is essential following this procedure to help restore movement and normal joint function. Most patients begin therapy the very next day — or as soon as they feel comfortable after surgery. Most patients experience effective, long-term results from this method of treatment.

How long does it take to recover from a Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty?

Recovering from hip replacement surgery can be a long and challenging process, and there's no easy way through it. After any major surgery, the idea for most patients is that of complete relaxation and ongoing therapy until they are completely healed. Perhaps the best thing to do is to educate yourself about what to expect after such invasive replacements, so you're not caught off guard when you're ready to take your last step down the road to recovery.

As soon as possible after your surgery, you will start physical therapy to learn how to move your body without dislocating your hip. You will need to follow a few precautions until your hip is fully healed. Most often, this means:

• Avoid twisting at the hips. 
• Keep your shoulders, hips, knees, and feet facing forward.
• Do not let your affected leg cross the center of your body toward the other leg. 

Your physical therapist may also recommend that you do not cross your legs or feet. After a bipolar hemiarthroplasty, you will want to be very careful as you get in or out of bed or a car. Imagine a line that goes down the middle of your body, and make sure your leg does not cross it until you are fully healed.

For added comfort, keep a pillow between your knees any time you are lying down. If you are lying on your back, the pillow should rest under the affected leg and on top of the other leg. This will help you turn onto your side without twisting at the hips.

To learn more about our Hip Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty Services, please contact us today to schedule an appointment!