Everything you wanted to know about Total Hip Replacements...
We recently interviewed Professor Alister Hart and asked him about Osteoarthritis of the hip and Total Hip Replacements.
Prof Alister Hart
Professor Alister Hart is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, specialising in hip and knee problems, and director of research at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) NHS Trust in Stanmore, London, UK. He holds the chair of academic clinical orthopaedics at University College London (UCL). His private practice is at the Princess Grace, London Clinic and Highgate Hospitals. To find out more, please visit his website http://www.jointrecon.com
Q. How important is Pilates and strengthening rehabilitation before and after total hip replacement (THR)?
A: I think it is very important. Orthopaedic surgeons can reconstruct the joint with metal and ceramic components and take care of muscles during surgery but cannot make muscles recover. A surgeon cannot make Andy Murray move around the tennis court.
Q:Patients often worry that they will need a revision of their THR. What is the average lifespan of a THR?
A: 97.5%5 of hips last at least 10 years. 80% will last at least 20 years. The right exercises afterwards, a good surgeon and a tried and tested implant (ODEP 10A rated) will increase the chance of the hip lasting a long time.
Q:What are your thoughts of bespoke/customised implants?
A: Good for complex cases with difficult anatomy but they are not tried and tested – no custom implant can be tried and tested because they are all different. If all VW golfs were slightly different then it would be difficult to predict how they would function.
Q: Active patients often worry that they will not be able to continue with hobbies and sporting activities after THR. What are the usual restrictions following THR?
A: I agree. I say they can do all sports except long distance running: no half or full marathons. Heavy gym work less advisable and cycling is the best.
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