Evolution of Technology

Femoral Nailing

Femoral nailing is an attractive option for the treatment of hip fractures. This is a minimally invasive technique only requiring small incisions of the skin and does not require the large dissection needed for other techniques.

A metal rod (or nail) is placed within the femur, spanning across the fractured segment and is secured into place, most of with screws. One thicker screw is placed through the femoral neck and into the femoral head near the hip joint to prevent the fracture from rotating and compress across the fracture site, and one screw is placed near the end of the rod to prevent it from migrating inside the bone.

Patients are immediately able to walk after surgery because the metal rod helps to share the load of weight through the femur. This way patients can mobilize early, prevent the development of blood clots or a pneumonia and return to their pre-injury level of function and activity.

Evolution of Procedure

Hip Fracture Surgery

Performing a total femur replacement is essentially performing a total hip replacement and total knee replacement at the same time followed by connecting the two components through an adjustable, modular stem. However, a total femur replacement requires significantly longer operating time than most other revision arthroplasty surgeries. This increases the risk of wound contamination and subsequent development of infection.

Patients should expect a notable incision from their hip extending to below their knee. Excessive dissection is required to remove the underlying femur; however some osseous components may be left in place in order to facilitate prosthesis incorporation.

Flap coverage may be required for adequate soft tissue coverage of the total femur implant. Patients should be aware that skin or muscle tissue from other areas of their body may be utilized.

Evolution of Diagnosis

Hip Fracture

Hip fractures are one of the most common surgically treated fractures of the lower extremity in the United States and are most likely to be seen in elderly people after a fall from standing. While they are low energy fractures that happen due to poor bone quality, they can prevent patients from being able to walk and can lead to blood clots of the legs or pneumonias due to the inability to sit upright.

Xrays will be taken to diagnose hip fractures and it is recommended that these fractures are treated with surgery, most preferably within 48 hours of the injury.

Evolution of Technology

Sliding Hip Screw

Profile Photo
Hunter Graver, MD
Content Contributor

The technology used to repair or fix the hip has evolved significantly. Initial repair methods used basic plate and screw constructs that required prolonged periods of nonweightbearing on the injured leg. However, as our understanding of hip fractures has evolved it has become apparent that any method we use to fix the hip needs to allow for immediate ability to put full weight on the leg, especially in elderly patients.

Due to this understanding the technology surrounding hip fracture fixation has evolved significantly and there are now several highly specialized tools to fix the hip. Which method is used depends on the “stability” of the fracture. Simply, a fracture is considered stable if the outside, or lateral, surface of the bone is intact. Stable fractures can be fixed using a special plate and screw called a sliding hip screw, while unstable fractures are fixed using a nail down the middle of the bone.

The sliding hip screw aids in healing of the hip fracture by allowing the large screw in the bone to piston through the plate on the side of the bone. This transfers downward “shear” force into “compressive” force through the site of the fracture, which allows for more efficient healing. These constructs also allow for immediate weightbearing after surgery, allowing for patients to participate in physical therapy and start their recovery sooner.

Evolution of Technology

Hip Prosthesis

Profile Photo
Michael Eckhoff, MD
Content Contributor

Hip prostheses were first developed to treat chronic infections within the hip joint in 1891 using ivory to replace the femoral head. Later designs used glass and stainless steel to replace the femur. The problem with this procedure is that the pelvis side (acetabulum) of the hip joint was left alone, and therefore areas that could be causes arthritic pain were left in place.

It was not until the 1950s that surgeons started replacing the acetabulum as well with a metal cup that articulated with a metal femur prosthesis. With advances in technology the current implants are often ceramic or metal femur prosthesis that articulates with a polyethylene (plastic) cup. In the setting of revision surgery for hip prosthesis or in the setting of trauma to the hip prosthesis, there is associated bone loss. More bone loss requires a larger implant to replace that bone loss.

Eventually the amount of bone loss was significant enough that it resulted in loss of the muscle attachments to the femur. In the 1980s, the proximal femoral replacement (PRF) was created. A PFR is often made of the same material as a standard partial or total hip replacement, however, is much larger in size. It is designed to replace all portions of the femur near the hip joint. This includes the ball portion of the hip joint and the regions where muscles attach.

The reattachment of tendons allows for motion. Additionally, this provides stability to the implant and reduces the risk for postoperative dislocation. This results in a functional hip joint without a patient’s normal bone. A PFR is then cemented into the main shaft of the femur further down the patient’s thigh, creating rigid fixation for the implant. Besides periprosthetic fractures, these implants can also be used in patients with significant bone loss from infections or tumors.