How Are Screws Used In A Total Hip Replacement Procedure?

Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015

Question: hi i had a total hip replacement done. do you know why screws are used in the "cup" of the replacement?
also if i use 1 long and 1 super short screw (hardly noticeable on the xray), will the replacement come
loose within 10 years? this is just a normal hip replacement. are these 2 screws going to be enough to
support? thanks much
YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
These screws are use in uncemented replacement

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I can assure you that these two screws are good enough. These screws are use when cup is uncemented. Function of these screws is to keep the cup in position till bone grows to cup and formed a tight bond. It is called osteointegration and it may take three to four months. So screws are needed for just few months.
Once bone get in to the wall of cup than it become quite stable and may last up to thirty years.You should be cautious for initial few months. Along with screws elasticity of bone also helps in keeping cup in this position.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar