Hip

At first glance, the hip joint might look like a relatively simple ball and socket joint made up of the ball of the thigh bone (femoral head), which fits into a socket (acetabulum) covered with articular cartilage, an articular lip of cartilage (labrum), and a central ligament. Both the head of the femur and the acetabulum are covered by cartilage, which cushions the hip joint. This ensures that cartilage glides against cartilage when a person is walking or running.

When you consider the tremendous work load and range of motion of the hip joint, which must bear loads of up to 5 times the body weight, it is obvious that the hip joint must be quite complex.

When treating hip diseases or injuries, we focus on preservation of the natural joint. Once the problem has been identified, we try to treat it in a conservative fashion, including exercises to stabilize the joint, enhance the cartilage, and slow down joint and cartilage degeneration for as long as possible.

Once cartilage damage has occurred, it does not go away. The condition should be treated before it reaches a stage where hip joint replacement is the only option left.

If hip surgery is required, we generally perform arthroscopic surgery of the hip, a minimally invasive procedure described in a separate chapter (Hip Arthroscopy). Conventional open hip surgery has major risks and generally is no longer necessary.

When extensive cartilage damage occurs, the bony structures of the joint constantly rub against each other, causing severe pain and stiffness. In advanced cases, we attempt to replace the joint sparing as much tissue as possible in order to restore the patient's ability to function as fully as possible. MicroHip is the minimally invasive technique of hip replacement used at OZM. Information on MicroHip can be found in a separate chapter.

Revision hip replacement surgery in patients whose total hip replacements have become loose and worn out naturally is also performed at OZM. In certain cases, it may be possible to perform the revision hip replacement surgery using the MicroHip technique — which has tremendous advantages. Even in patients with a history of multiple hip replacement surgeries, we can generally find a way to implant a new and stable hip replacement providing effective pain relief.

As a referral centre for hip surgery, we see a number of special cases, including hip fusion (arthrodesis), congenital hip dysplasia and congenital hip dislocation, and are able to provide optimal solutions for the individual patient.

Since we treat a large number of hip diseases and injuries each year, we also see a number of rare cases. For example, we have made a number of fused hips mobile again in a procedure called de-arthrodesis. We can also help you get in contact with self-help groups to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among patients with similar conditions.

Even if yours has been called a "hopeless case", do not hesitate to contact us. In addition to having a vast knowledge base, we are members of a large international network and know the best orthopaedic surgeons in the world. Generally, we are able to provide an effective solution tailor-made to the needs of the individual patient. We pay meticulous attention to detail and take the time needed to achieve the goal of providing optimal care.

: Am Ziel des Jungfraumarathons