Orthopedic Hip Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ

Jonathan Fox, M.D. of Desert Orthopedic Specialists has been certified in orthopedic surgery since 1987, giving him well over 30 years of experience in all types of orthopedic hip surgery procedures and treatment solutions.

Keeping up to date with the leading edge of orthopedic surgery methods and technology is a priority for his practice, but Dr. Fox maintains a discerning eye to ensure he only adopts the procedures and methods that work, while avoiding the hip surgery options, prosthetics and methods that don’t have a record for good long-term patient outcomes. This approach to orthopedic hip surgery allows Dr. Fox to provide surgical solutions that have a proven track record, maximizing patient results, minimizing complications and improving long-term success.

Total Hip Replacement

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common conditions that cause significant hip pain and may necessitate the need for a total hip replacement.

Osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear, typically doesn’t occur in patients until their 50s.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the membrane surrounding the hip joint. This can lead to cartilage damage, stiffness and chronic pain.

During a total hip replacement, multiple components of the hip are replaced. The femoral head, the top of the femur that connects into the hip socket, is replaced. The femoral head is attached to a stem which is implanted in the femur itself to anchor the head solidly in place. The acetabulum, or the cartilage of the socket that the femoral head attaches into, is also commonly replaced and secured in place with cement or screws.

In most cases a specialized ceramic, plastic or metal spacer is placed between the femoral head and the socket to reduce friction and allow smooth, unimpeded motion.

Hip Surgery Revision

Hip revision surgeries are performed to repair a previously implanted prosthetic hip joint. The procedure may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including prosthesis damage from wear and tear, infection of the tissue surrounding the implant, loosening hip implants or if the prosthetic itself was defective and broke or is having other adverse effects.

Hip revision procedures are generally the same as the initial hip replacement and will involve replacing some or all the artificial hip and components that were implanted during the original surgery. However, the types of prosthetics that are used may be specialized to address the injuries or damages that were caused by the defective artificial components that are being removed.

If a serious infection is present, the revision surgery may be more complex. Your surgeon may need to first perform debridement, where the bacteria is washed out and the ball and plastic liner of the original hip implant are replaced. Following the surgery, you will need to undergo an intensive antibiotic treatment to completely remove the infection.

Your surgeon also may recommend the revision surgery be performed in multiple stages. During the first surgery, the implant is removed and replaced with a temporary spacer that’s treated with antibiotics. This will be left in your hip for several weeks to help treat the infection. Once the infection is gone a new prosthesis can be placed.