CRNGE pial hg ae Wiske pi apyear on Vi wclign Tradgg =" ws hamed| ep Wake place on ths Ne next Wednesda 7 nd this 8 se hed ' > Beaten eon the aanesd z We next Hon house aq New Technology Creates Better-Fitting Hip Replacements (NAPSA)—There’s good news for seniors who needa hip replacement to maintain their activelives. New technology has madeit easier to create better-fitting hip replacement parts that can potentially improve mobility and reduce problemsafter the operation. That’s very important to today’s AARP-aged adults, who do not want to be limited by physical disability. A good exampleof a person who wanted to remain active is Sy Woodall, an active senior from Valdosta, Ga. He recently made the decision to undergo total hip-replacement surgery after an MRI revealed that he was suffering from severe osteoarthritis in his hip. Woodall initially thought he was suffering from a groin pull, but the pain persisted over several years and became increasingly crippling. “Simple things, just like climbing stairs, became a tremendous problem all of a sudden,” recalls Woodall. “Naturally, I’'d like to get back to playing with my grandkids. I’d like to get back to that golf course. I would like to travel without being inhibited.” For otherwise healthy patients such as Woodall, concerns about postoperative dislocation, range of motion and implant longevity are paramount. Orthopaedic manufacturers such as Stryker are continually looking for technologies to help better address these needs. While larger joints are gener- ally considered preferable for their potential for increased range last a long time,” explains his surgeon, Dr. John Waldrop. “This new technology increases range of motion while addressing the complication of it popping out of joint.” Staying informed, prepared and committed to completing a regimen of physical therapy are vital to the success of hip-replacementsurgery. Manyof today’s seniors are healthy andstayfit playing sports they love. New hip-replacement technology can help them stay mobile for longer. of motion and reduced risk of dislocation, concerns about patient compatibility have meant that some anatomically sized hip implants were only available to a limited subset of the population. Stryker’s most recent offering, LFIT™ Anatomic Heads with X38 liners, takes advantageof technology that has the potential to reduce friction between the implanted joints and may offer greater wearresistance. This technology enables the companyto offer larger components designed to accurately reflect the natural human anatomy. In addition, these new implants also offer the potential to increase range of motion and reducetherisk of dislocation and are compatible with a broad range of patients. “Mr. Woodall was an excellent candidate for the advanced hip system because he wanted to stay active, relieve his pain, have good function and have his hip In Woodall’s case, physical therapy began within 24 hours of surgery. At that time he was surprised to already be well on his way towards regaining his independence. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that approximately 200,000 people undergo total hip replacements each year. That numberis likely to grow in years to come, given that the number of Americans age 65 and older is expected to double by 2030. For more information on hip- replacement surgery andto find a physician in your area, visit www.aboutstryker.com. Hip dislocation is a major con- cern, both in terms oflifestyle recovery objectives as well as in economic repercussions. Dislo- cation can beincredibly painful and often requires a revision surgery. According to the Jour- nal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 3 to 4 percent of all Medicare patients receiving hip-replacement surgery will experience a dislocation, a burden that costs the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $74 million annually.
