What is the difference between total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiarthroplasty?
In a total hip arthroplasty and a hemiarthroplasty the femoral head and neck are resected and replaced with a prosthesis. In a total hip replacement the acetabulum is also resurfaced and an acetabular component is inserted. In a total hip replacement the bearing surface is metal-on-plastic, metal-on-metal, or ceramic-on-ceramic. In a hemiarthroplasty the bearing surface is metal-on-acetabular cartilage. 36. What are the indications for total hip arthroplasty? The goal of hip arthroplasty is to relieve pain, correct deformity, and restore range of motion (ROM) and function. Indications include severe degenerative changes and failure of nonoperative treatment for 3–6 months. Occasionally, THA is chosen when a fracture of the femoral head or neck cannot be repaired or repair has little chance for clinical success (e.g., an 80-year-old with a severely displaced femoral neck fracture). 37. What is metal on metal hip resurfacing? Hip resurfacing is a surgical alternative to conventional hip
