Bilateral hip replacement

Marciela Arevalo is one of our younger patients to undergo bilateral hip replacement during the 2018 CAMTA mission.  Marciela is 45 years old.  Born with hip dysplasia both hips have degenerated considerably, her left far more than her right.  She ran an empanada stand until her hips were too sore for her to work standing all day. 

The left femoral head was almost moving out side of the acetabulum (hip socket)

A lot of preparation and equipment are required for an operation such as this.  The Adult OR nurses meticulously prepare instruments for the surgery.

Both hips were replaced in one operation.  This will make Marciela's recovery longer and more difficult but cuts the risks involved with having two surgeries.  In order to have sufficient bone density in the left pelvis, part of Marciela's femoral head was used to create a bone graft to strengthen the area around the implant.  As a result of the surgery Marciela's hips will now sit level making her legs an equal length.

The operations on both hips went well and Marciela is resting and looking forward to a successful recovery. 

 

Dr. Paul Leung, (Adult Orthopedic Surgeon) visits with Marciela in the recovery room.