Press Releases

Traditional Hip Replacement Utilizing Large-Ball Technology

Port Huron, MI…Mercy Hospital, and its Orthopedics and Joint Center, is pleased to announce revolutionary traditional hip replacement procedures allow more patients to consider treatment at an earlier age providing for a return to their active lifestyles.

Provided by all local orthopedic surgeon groups within the community, Mercy Hospital works with each individual surgeon to develop and provide a surgical and treatment plan that is right for each patient.

During traditional hip replacement, the surgeon will replace the hip with an implant consisting of a stem, ball, liner and socket. During the surgery, the worn head of the thigh bone (femur) is replaced with a metal ball, or head, mounted on a metal stem inserted into the upper femur bone. A matching cup (or socket) is placed into the natural socket of the pelvis. For those with metal allergies, alternative composite materials are used, including ceramics.

“The bearing, or point where the ball and socket make contact, plays a critical role in the durability of an artificial hip,” explains Edward Nebel, MD, a local orthopedic surgeon.

“It effects how well the implant will wear over time, how long it will last, and how stable it will be in your body,” continues Nebel. For many years, a tough medical-grade plastic or polyethylene was used in the bearing of artificial joints. But with today’s computerized machining, the more durable, longer lasting metal-on-metal hip replacement bearing is readily available.

“Also important to note, is the bearing’s size. While traditional hip replacement utilized relatively small bearing diameters, it is now recognized that a larger ball (high carbon chrome cobalt), with a clearance of approximately 150 microns offers greater durability, range of motion and stability because it is more like the natural hip,” Nebel concludes. “The larger the ball, the less the wear; and the large ball total hip replacement technology is an ideal hip for the active baby boomer.

Mercy Hospital’s award-winning Orthopedics and Joint Center has been providing advanced services, including surgical hip, knee and joint replacement care for more than 50 years. Mercy’s highly-trained team of clinicians continually receives state-of-the-art training. Mercy Hospital provides for more joint replacements than any other health provider in the Thumb Region.

For more information about Mercy Hospital and its Orthopedics and Joint Center, visit Mercy online at www.mercyporthuron.com, or call (810) 985-1623.