The role of surgery in treatment of arthritis of the hip.

Abstract

Abstract: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the hip are each discussed with regard to clinical considerations, radiographic findings, and available operative procedures.While search continues for an entirely satisfactory hip arthroplasty operation, the careful selection of the appropriate available procedure can be of great benefit to the arthritic patient. Osteotomy, arthroplasty and arthrodesis have fully proved their worth.For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, selection is the more important and difficulties arise from a lack of the same extensive background of clinical experience against which to review a particular patient's clinical state. Increasing interest in this field is manifest, however, and more patients are being helped by surgery than heretofore.It is worth emphasizing again, the importance of a team approach to the arthritic patient, with participation in the team by a rheumatologist or internist, orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social service worker and vocational rehabilitation counsellor. That there is a pressing need for specialized teams of this sort in modern American medicine is obvious to any who have become involved in the field to anything more than a superficial degree.