Diathermy & Total Hip Replacements

For a person with a hip damaged by arthritis or injury, a total hip replacement could lessen pain and improve mobility. The surgeon who performs the procedure might use diathermy when clearing away soft tissue in order to place the hip prosthesis as part of the operation.

Total Hip Replacement

• In total hip replacement surgery, a surgeon removes the damaged bone and cartilage at the top of your femur and in your hip socket. After this, she replaces it with a synthetic ball and socket. This gives you an entirely new hip joint, according to "The Well-Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty," a book providing a comprehesive assessment of total hip replacement surgeries.

Diathermy

• In surgical diathermy, a surgeon uses high frequency electrical current to cut through tissue instead of using a scalpel. In total hip replacements, diathermy can be used to make an incision to open the hip joint to the surgeon's view. It can also clear soft tissue off of bone before he inserts the new hip joint.

Considerations

• Diathermy offers the advantage of causing less bleeding and less risk of infection during total hip replacement surgery because it cauterizes blood vessels and kills bacteria as it cuts. There is a greater risk of healthy tissue being damaged if the electrical current is not carefully aimed and controlled, according to "Medical Devices," a volume providing a detailed look at the safe use of medical instruments.