Operative Techniques:
Hip Arthritis Surgery

By James P. Waddell, MD, FRCSC

Adult hip surgery occupies a special role in orthopedic surgery. Early orthopedic practitioners recognized the disabling effects of hip arthritis, and many of the earliest orthopedic efforts were designed to address this crippling problem. Osteotomy, partial joint replacement, interposition arthroplasty, and finally total joint replacement were all pioneered in the treatment of adult hip disease.

With increasing knowledge of the relationship between structural abnormality of the hip based on congenital deformity or childhood illness and adult hip arthritis, surgical procedures designed to correct these underlying malformations were promoted in the expectation that treatment of these problems could prevent later onset of significant adult hip arthritis.

As adult hip surgery became more common and more sophisticated, it became evident that the technical component of these surgical procedures was of paramount importance in their success or failure. Therefore, there continues to be increased interest in the technical aspects of hip surgery, recognizing that there is a direct correlation between technical excellence and longevity of the procedure.