How Can I Fix The Inferior Bending Of My Hip Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, My biggest concern with my hip implants is the edge bending on both sides. 

A:That certainly looks like inferior implant edge bending to me. That is a difficult problem to solve in an established pocket. Its best prevention is with the initial implant placement and the placement of ingrowth holes through the implant so the tissues grab onto the implant and provide support to its vertical position. Once the capsule is established you can’t create that biologic effect secondarily as there is no adhesion between the implant and the capsule. The best strategy at this point is to place the implants under the established capsule over the muscle/fascia in which it will be treated like a ‘new’ implant placement. (I would still reduce the implant a bit and place perfusion holes)

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana