World of Orthopedics
Everything Related to Orthopedics
Uni vs. Total
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Many patients who suffer from arthritis most likely will eventually face joint replacement in the affected areas. What these patients may not realize about their joint replacement is the options. While your surgeon will ultimately decide what’s best for your situation, it is always good to be armed with as much knowledge as possible. When it comes to arthritis in the knees, there are 2 different options for surgery – partial knee replacement and total knee replacement.
If the arthritis in your knee has only affected the inner portion, or “medial side”, then partial knee replacement may be an option for you. Partial knee replacement is also commonly called 
“unicompartmental” or “UNI” surgery since it only replaces one compartment of the knee. One limitation that many patients face when it comes to partial knee replacement is that the outer portion of the knee or “lateral side” must still have healthy cartilage. Most times, partial knee replacement is performed on younger patients in order to postpone total knee replacement. Partial knee replacement is considered a lot less invasive than total replacement surgery.
The other option for knee replacement surgery is the total knee replacement. This surgery is performed on patients who entire knee joint has been affected by arthritis. In this type of surgery, every part of the 
knee is replaced with prosthetic components. Many patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery do not have to have their patella replaced as this part of the knee often stays intact. Patella replacement however, is an option for patients who need the extra stability. While total knee replacement is an invasive surgery with a long recovery, it can truly improve the quality of life for someone suffering from the pain of arthritis.
Pediatric Hip Dysplasia
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When you think about joint replacement surgery, you typically think about the older population and those suffering from arthritis. Unfortunately, joint replacement is not limited to this portion of people. There are many pediatric disorders that can result in a child needing joint replacement at a very young age. One such disorder is called Pediatric Hip Dysplasia. This term is used to describe a child who has had a problem with the formation of their hips. Hip Dysplasia can affect either the ball portion of the hip, the socket portion or in the worst cases, both.
Pediatric Hip Dysplasia basically describes a hip joint that has a difficult time staying in the proper position. The ball and socket can become easily separated causing an array of other issues, not to mention pain. Hip Dysplasia is usually diagnosed early after birth. If it is diagnosed early, doctors will put the baby into what is called a Pavlik Harness to attempt to keep the joint in place while the child grows. Many times, this will correct the problem and the child will live a normal, healthy life.
In some children, the harness is not enough and they continue to have problems as they grow. Chronic Hip Dysplasia can cause early onset of arthritis in the joint and result in a child needing a hip replacement at a very young age. While hip replacement is possible, doctors try to avoid it at all costs. Since most of the products on the market for hip replacement are meant for adults, it can be difficult to get an implant that is small enough. Some doctors have even been known to utilize shoulder implants in pediatric hips. Since the joints work similarly and the shoulder is smaller than the hip, this is often a successful option. The child will eventually need revisions as they grow and develop but can drastically improve their lifestyle.
