Most of us take our ability to get around for granted. But the stabbing pain of arthritis — whether it’s in your knee, ankle or hip — can rob you of that ability and steal your independence. Robert Trousdale, M.D., a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon tells us about joint replacement surgery in general, and how hip replacement surgery has advanced.
Listen to the podcast segment by clicking the link below:
Hip Replacement: Are you a candidate?
For Dr. Trousdale and/or staff: I am a 53 year old lawyer (sound familiar) fairly active (although that is decreasing), with severe arthritis in both hips I am told by the rheumatologist with whom I consulted who had hip x-rays taken. I live in Reno, Nevada and plan to consult with a surgeon here, but want the best possible materials and sugical techniques to be used. I had heard about some sort of surgical navigation system or laser guidance for placement and customized prostheics. Are these experimental or more generally available? If the better procedures are not available here, I am very willing to travel out of state. What should my questions be in consulting with a surgeon here? Is it reasonable to consider travelling to say the Mayo clinic for such a procedure?