Stiff, swollen and aching joints are no longer a life sentence thanks to orthopaedic advances. Hip replacement specialists can now restore pain-free mobility. Although surgeons have widely hailed these procedures as the most successful orthopaedic interventions to date, the road to success was rocky, marred by frequent failures.
The first recorded attempt to replace a diseased hip joint was over 130 years ago. At that time, a German professor named Themistocles Glück was seeking a means to assist patients with tuberculosis. In addition to its effects on the lungs, the disease often causes damage to the hip joints when left untreated.
In 1891, Glück began performing hip surgery on these patients, replacing the damaged bone with an ivory prosthesis fixed in place by nickel-plated screws. However, his efforts were all unsuccessful. The ivory prosthesis proved insufficiently durable, and his newly repaired joints quickly collapsed.
In 1925, an American doctor tried again, using a glass mould to fit over the head of the femur, thus providing a smooth surface for improved articulation with the acetabulum. While his prosthesis lasted significantly longer, it also failed prematurely.
The problem was finally solved in the late ‘50s when a British orthopaedic surgeon performed the first successful hip replacement. He used ball and socket implants made of steel, cushioned with plastic and secured using acrylic bone cement. Sir John Charnley is widely regarded as the “father of modern arthroplasty”.
Hip Replacement Specialists Today
Charnley undoubtedly paved the way; his prosthetic metal and plastic joints are still used today. However, there have also been many significant improvements in the practical approach to hip surgery and joint replacements in general. These can be attributed to advances in three areas:
- Materials science: Today’s hip surgeons benefit from years of research into alternative materials that are more suitable for the manufacture of prosthetic joints. They now have a choice of biocompatible materials such as titanium, organic polymers, ceramics and composites, which can be employed in various combinations.
- Arthroscopy: The development of an instrument to provide a real-time, illuminated and magnified image of a joint’s interior has revolutionised the task of hip replacement specialists. Instead of a large incision to expose the entire joint, they can now use an arthroscope to guide the movements of miniature instruments inserted through tiny incisions. In addition to being a powerful diagnostic aid, arthroscopic or “keyhole” surgery is minimally invasive, limiting blood loss and infection risks while substantially reducing post-operative recovery times.
- Robotics: Modern prosthetic joints are durable and typically continue operating for at least two to three decades without needing revision surgery. However, the prosthetic components must be aligned accurately for the replacement joint to perform at its best. Even the most skilled hip replacement specialists are only human; even a relatively small deviation could leave an implanted patient with a pronounced limp. An assistive robotic system can now help hip surgeons ensure perfect alignment every time.
Get Help From Experienced Hip Surgeons
Dr Jan de Vos heads a team of hip replacement specialists at Pretoria’s Wilgers Life Hospital, a national and international referral destination for arthroscopy and arthroplasty. If you need shoulder, knee or hip surgery, why not contact the orthopaedic department to arrange an appointment today?