Total Hip Replacement: Introduction
We have developed this website to allow patients to educate themselves about hip and knee replacement. Tremendous advances have been made in these fields since I trained at Johns Hopkins over 25 years ago. Vigorous scientific debate continues as orthopedic surgeons strive to continue to advance the success of joint replacement. Sticking with “proven” treatments sounds good, but all proven treatments 25 years ago have been improved upon and have fallen by the wayside.
On the other hand, when we try to advance technology, we sometimes take 2 steps forward and one step back. No scientific studies are ideal, especially when surgical practice is concerned. A surgeon must evaluate studies and form an educated opinion about what is best through the lens of his personal education training and experience.
If we maintain careful follow-up on our patients and evaluate the data critically, we will be able to constantly improve much more than by just reading scientific papers and attending meetings. Specialist surgeons who perform large volumes of surgery and carefully scrutinize their data are typically the highest performers. The purpose of this website is to transmit my opinion backed up by my data so that patients can make an informed decision prior to surgery.
I have little interest in “proven” treatments. Instead I am always trying to incorporate the latest advances in my treatment protocols. As much as possible I like to stick to protocols that are occasionally altered according to identified patients needs or desires.
My biases are hip resurfacing, uncemented fixation, large metal bearings, minimally invasive surgery, and custom implants.