Double mobility hip replacement: An attractive option for younger patients.
Hip replacement surgery for painful arthritis in a worn joint has given many people a new lease on life. It has proven to be an extremely successful process for relieving pain and restoring mobility.
These days, it is becoming more common for people in their 50s to think about joint replacement so that they can return to activities they have given up due to hip pain. These younger patients are generally excellent candidates for a type of hip implant known as "dual mobility". It provides excellent range of motion and has been shown to reduce the risk of instability in younger, active patients.
What is a dual mobility hip implant?
A hip replacement implant is a ball-bearing mechanism in the socket designed to simulate a human hip joint. Typical parts include a stem inserted into the femur (femur), a ball that replaces the round head of the femur, and a shell lining the hip socket.
Compared to a traditional hip replacement prosthesis, a dual mobility implant provides an additional area of action. With the dual mobility hip, a large plastic polyethylene head fits inside a polished metal cup in the acetabulum and an additional smaller metal or ceramic head fits snugly into the polyethylene head.
Dual mobility hip replacement studies in younger patients.
Studies have shown that one of the main advantages of dual mobility design is that it virtually eliminates the risk of dislocation. This is important for younger patients who are generally more active and have more demands on their hip after surgery. Dislocation is one of the most common complications after hip arthroplasty and the number one reason for revision surgery.
Dual mobility hip replacement for revision surgery.
Recent research has also found that the dual mobility implant is a good choice for patients of all ages who needed a second hip replacement, known as revision surgery. The risk of instability after revision surgery is greater than after initial hip replacement. The latest technology with dual mobility components offers increased stability, reducing the risk of dislocation, without compromising the range of motion of the hip.