Total hip replacement and the older man: More options than you really need
Total hip replacements have become routine, but there are other options. One is hip resurfacing, which replaces damaged joint surfaces with new hardware but leaves more of the natural bone intact than in a total hip replacement. Surgeons can choose among different ways of implanting a new joint. One gaining popularity is anterior hip replacement, in which the surgeon installs the new joint through an incision in the front of the hip. These various options have advantages and disadvantages. For an older man who needs hip surgery, a standard joint implant surgery is reliable, has well-known risks, and could last for the rest of his life.
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