ICON Hip Resurfacing Versus THR
Total Hip Replacement (THR)
In the traditional shaft prosthesis, the neck of the femur, including the femoral head, is detached.
This leads to the following disadvantages:
- Load introduction into the femur no longer takes place anatomically correctly via the trabecula in the head of the femur, but primarily in the dia- and metaphyseal region; this leads to continuous osteoclasis (stress shielding) in the intertrochanteric region of the femur.
- Differences in the lengths of the legs and changes in the so-called “offset” arise as a result of the predetermined design of the shaft prostheses and/or insufficient stability in the case of small head diameters combined with the necessity of increased preloading.
- Increased risk of dislocation due to small head diameters and thus reducing dislocation path.
- Loss of proprioception (depth perception) as a result of head-neck resection.
- Furtherance of osteolysis, particularly in polyethylene abrasion.
- Greater blood loss associated with increased risk of embolism and thrombosis due to opening and elevation of pressure in the femoral medullary cavity and implantation of the shaft prosthesis.
ICON HIP Resurfacing
Hip Resurfacing involves the “crowning” of the affected joint surface of the head of the femur.
The aforementioned disadvantages of the shaft endoprosthesis are no longer applicable.
Furthermore, additional advantages result from this technique:
- The natural geometric dimensions remain unaltered and with correct planning a difference in the lengths of the legs can be excluded. Stress shielding in the form of a thinning of the femoral neck is rare.
- The surfaces of the metal-metal bearing are commensurate with the human anatomy and offer excellent joint stability.
- A serum lubricating film forms in the capillary gap between the two high-grade metal surfaces, which enhances the slip of the components.
Secondary care
In the case of a femoral neck fracture, the head of the femur with the implant only is removed and a shaft prosthesis with a matching ICON Modular Head implanted, the socket remaining as it is.
As a result of the head connection to a shaft, the range of movement is considerably greater than in a conventional shaft prosthesis.
