Partial prosthesis of the hip

The term partial prosthesis or hemiprosthesis is due to the fact that only one part is replaced in the hip, being only the femoral stem with the femoral head, the acetabulum remains intact. This is why this type of prosthesis is only used in patients who have no demand for activity and load on the hip, since friction of a metal head with a tissue that preserves articular cartilage (as is the case of the acetabulum), produces significant wear producing pain and in many cases protrusion of the acetabulum of this type of prosthesis.

This type of prosthesis is used as a lifesaver in hip fractures in patients with poor quality of life due to basic diseases (decompensated diabetics in advanced stages, nephropathy, cancerous diseases with metastatic lesions, advanced cardiopulmonary disease, etc.) that are associated with advanced age, with little physical activity and poor bone quality. With a life expectancy of no more than 10 years.

The main objective is to give a better quality of life to a patient with a hip fracture so that he can carry out his daily activities and not shorten the life expectancy that is already limited. This is achieved by reinstating the patient to walk immediately after surgery (24 hours). By performing a minimally invasive procedure and correct placement of the prosthesis, complications associated with a patient lying down for a long time (depression, embolism, immunodepression, respiratory diseases, lung infection, etc.) are avoided.

The partial prosthesis or hemiprothesis, is not indicated for patients with a longer life expectancy of 10 years, good ooea quality for the age, with activity according to their age (going to Mass, running errands, among others).

In this section we can cite bipolar prostheses, presenting as a difference to the reduction of the load in the acetabulum, with another modular component, but the disadvantage is the overwhelming difference in economic cost. being in the same group of salvage prostheses, whose function is the same as the thompson type partial prosthesis, later demonstrating the same disadvantage as the thompson type partial prosthesis, since bipolar acts with time as monopolar presenting acetabular wear.