Hips For You - Guide to Total Hip Replacement

Serving the Patient Community since 12/18/2006      Patricia Walter - Webmaster/Owner

Home THR Discussion Group Hip Stories Visitor's Guide What's New? Sitemap Contact
 

Clusty

Choosing a Hip Device and a Surgeon

by Dr. Huddleston

Updated 7/2/08

...The hip implant parts are expensive, and there are many competing brands. Many hospitals contract with suppliers for a volume discount, and then restrict the surgeon’s choice to the contracted brand. That product may not be the best available, or the best implant for you.

Worse yet, some hospitals carry cheap, bottom-of-the-line, "low demand implants" for older patients, often defined as being over 65. The new metal-on-metal, and ceramic–on-ceramic designs are more expensive, and hospitals often restrict their use, even for younger patients.

You should find out if your surgeon is restricted in his choices by his hospital. If so, find a good surgeon who works out of a hospital that leaves the implant choice to him. Alternately, offer to pay the hospital the difference for the more expensive implant. The difference could be as little as $1000 before the hospital’s mark-up, and worth every penny.

Many older people these days are in good health, live very active lives, and expect to live well into their nineties. Clearly these are “high demand” patients who deserve a high quality hip replacement that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

Choose the best surgeon, have him tell you exactly what implant he plans to install in your hip (brand name, manufacturer, and what the parts are made of), and then do some research to find out if it is what you want and need...

Dr. H.D. Huddleston
The Hip and Knee Institute
5525 Etiwanda Ave., #324
Tarzana, CA 91356
Tel: 818.708.9090

Dr. Huddleston is in no way connected to this website, but the information he provides on his website is invaluable to a person considering hip replacement.
 

Advertisement


View My Stats

 

 

Web design by Patricia Walter    Copyright Hips For You 12/18/2006   

Statistics for Hips For You

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:  verify here.

Mission Statement - Hips for You  is a patient to patient guide to hip resurfacing. It does not provide medical advice. It is designed to support, not to replace, the relationship between patient and clinician.
Advertising - Revenue from this site is derived from commercial advertising and individual donations.
Any advertisement is distinguished by the word "advertisement"
Privacy - Hips for You does not share email addresses or personal information with any group or organization.
Content - Hips for You is not controlled or influenced by any medical companies, doctors or hospitals.
All content is controlled by Patricia Walter  -
Joint Health Sites  LLC

This site is published by Joint Health Sites LLC, which is solely responsible for its content.
The advertisements on this site are not intended by the advertisers as an endorsement of the site's content.
The advertisers shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in the site's content,
nor liable for any damages from any person's actions based in reliance on the site's content.