Surface prosthesis

What is a surface prosthesis?

Surface prostheses are indicated for placement in areas such as the hip or knee, which are the joints most prone to wear and tear, and are most appropriate for patients under 65 years of age.

Their main feature is that they allow a large amount of bone to be preserved, and they tend to last longer than conventional prostheses. In fact, it is currently the most commonly used type of knee and hip prosthesis.

Why is it done?

With the passage of time, the joints wear out and cause pain and stiffness, to the point of hindering normal activities such as running, walking or sitting, significantly affecting the quality of life. The most effective solution in these cases is to implant a prosthesis in the joint.

Specifically, surface prostheses are used in patients under 65 years of age, with good bone quality and who want to exercise. The main advantages of this type of prosthesis are:

  • They avoid wear and allow greater bone preservation.
  • They notably reduce dislocations.
  • They are the ones that preserve more bone.

The surface prosthesis is indicated for patients under 65 years of age who want to continue practicing exercise.
65 years who want to continue practicing exercise

What does it consist of?

The implantation of a surface prosthesis is performed by surgery, as with conventional prostheses. This implantation can be performed by various surgical techniques, such as open surgery or arthroscopy, depending on each case. It is usually performed under general anesthesia.

Some specialists in Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery have observed that the surgery to implant the surface prosthesis is somewhat more laborious than that of conventional prostheses.

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Preparation for the surface prosthesis

Weeks before the operation, the surgeon may prescribe clinical tests or perform a physical examination to rule out health problems that may pose a significant risk in the intervention, such as diabetes or hypertension.

The patient should also inform the surgeon of all medications taken and should stop smoking some time before the operation to ensure the best assimilation and result. Anti-inflammatory drugs should also be avoided as much as possible.

Finally, on the day of the operation the patient will not be able to eat or drink anything because of the general anesthesia, although all these aspects will be prescribed by the specialist in each case.

Post-operative care

The postoperative period for a surface prosthesis is similar to that of a conventional prosthesis, although the risk of transfusion is lower. Thus, the hospital stay will normally be two to four days.

After discharge from the hospital, the patient will require crutches or canes for walking for two to four weeks.

Alternatives to this treatment

The alternative to a surface prosthesis is a conventional prosthesis. For bone and joint wear, the patient can resort to infiltrations or ozone therapy treatments to reduce pain, although in general, when the time comes to require a prosthesis, the patient has no other alternative that will allow him to continue with his normal activity.