This is mainly used for two situations:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- A broken neck portion of the femur bone<\/strong> (the bony “bridge” just below the ball). This bridge also carries the blood supply to the ball. When it breaks, that blood supply can be cut off, and the ball can essentially die from lack of blood. If that happens, and if the socket isn’t arthritic, replacing just the ball portion of the femur makes sense. This is the main reason partial replacement is still done, and it’s considered the standard treatment for this type of fracture in older adults.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Older patients with limited mobility and other health conditions<\/strong>, for whom a shorter, less stressful operation is safer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
It is generally not recommended for hip arthritis or for active people. If there is significant arthritis on the socket side of the joint, then this procedure is not ideal. <\/p>\n\n
When should you consider surgery:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
For the patients with a fracture of the neck portion of the femur, this surgery is done 99.9% of the time. A displaced fracture like this won’t heal on its own and leaves the person unable to walk or bear weight. The more important question is usually which surgery, a partial replacement or a total hip replacement. Partial replacement tends to be chosen when the patient is older, less active, has other health problems that make a longer operation risky. They also need to have a non arthritic healthy socket portion of the hip. A younger or more active person, or someone with an arthritic socket, is usually better served by a total hip replacement.<\/p>\n\n
What happens during surgery:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
You’ll be either fully asleep or numbed from the waist down. The surgeon usually reaches the hip from the front or back (and may use robotic or minimally invasive methods). Then they:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- Remove the damaged or broken ball at the top of the thigh bone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leave the socket alone<\/strong>. Unlike a total replacement, the socket isn’t reshaped or replaced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prepare the hollow space inside the thigh bone using shaping tools, paying close attention to the angle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Insert a metal stem (held by a snug press-fit or with bone cement) and attach a new ball on top.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fit the new ball into your natural socket, check that it’s stable and moves well and that your leg lengths are even, and close up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Most of these surgeries use a bipolar<\/strong> design, which is a clever “ball-within-a-ball”: a smaller metal ball rotates inside a larger one, with a smooth plastic layer between them. This gives the joint more stability and movement and helps protect your natural socket. (An older unipolar<\/strong> design, which is just a single fixed ball, is rarely used now.) The whole operation typically takes about an hour, and is shorter than a total replacement.<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
<\/p>\n\nRadiograf\u00eda de reemplazo unipolar parcial de cadera<\/p>\n\n
What does recovery look like:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
Recovery tends to be quicker than a total hip replacement, mostly because the operation itself is shorter and involves less blood loss. However, in the setting of fracture, trauma to the soft tissue may slow progress slightly. Most people are up and walking with support the day after surgery. Because many of these patients are older and less mobile to begin with, the focus is on getting them moving safely as soon as possible. Outside of this, recovery is similar to a total hip replacement. <\/p>\n\n
What are the major risks and complications:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
Partial replacement carries the general risks of any hip surgery , such as infection, blood clots, dislocation, and bleeding among them. One risk worth understanding is specific to this procedure over the long term. The artificial ball rubs directly against your natural socket cartilage. This cartilage can slowly wear down, causing increasing pain over time. This is why partial replacement isn’t a good choice for active young patients. The more you move, the faster that wear happens. For the older, less active patients this trade-off is usually acceptable. Your surgeon will go over how the risks apply to your situation.<\/p>\n\n
What if you don’t have surgery:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
In the setting of a fracture of the neck portion of the femur, treating this non-operatively is not recommended. A displaced fracture like this generally won’t heal on its own, so the person is left in pain and unable to walk. Staying immobile is especially dangerous for older adults, who can develop serious complications from being unable to move. So while surgery is always a personal decision made with your doctor, surgery is strongly recommended for these fractures. For hip arthritis, the decision is different. Partial replacement isn’t recommended, so the real choice there is between non-surgical care and a total hip replacement. Your surgeon can help you weigh the options based on your specific situation.<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n\n
Insurance & Cost<\/h2>\n\n
We work with Medicare, most commercial insurance carriers (Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna, Empire BCBS, UnitedHealthcare), and most workers’ compensation and no-fault insurance carriers. Coverage for first ray amputation depends on your specific plan and the medical necessity criteria that apply to your case. Call our billing team at (631) 981-2663 before scheduling to verify your coverage and discuss expected out-of-pocket costs.<\/p>\n\n
For the full list of carriers we accept and patient billing protections, see our Insurance Information<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n
- Older patients with limited mobility and other health conditions<\/strong>, for whom a shorter, less stressful operation is safer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Partial-Hip-Replacement.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n