Hip Procedures

Intramedullary Nailing of the hip involves the placement of a long metal rod into the thigh bone, followed by a large single screw up into the femoral head, or the “ball” of the hip joint.  A smaller screw is then placed at the end of the rod in order to stabilize it.  This procedure requires three relatively small incisions on the side of the leg.  Because of the strength of the rod supporting the fractured hip, the patient is able to walk immediately after surgery.

A fracture of the femoral neck, or the area of the thigh bone just below the “ball,” can sometimes result in the “ball” becoming displaced, or knocked off of the rest of the bone.  When this happens, a hemiarthroplasty  is usually required to restore the ability to walk.  A hemiarthroplasty involves placing a new, replacement ball made out of metal into the thigh bone.  The procedure is often called a “half-hip replacement” because only the ball is replaced.  Nothing is usually done to the “cup” or “socket” part of the joint.  Recovery after a hemiarthroplasty can be prolonged, especially in patients who are older and weaker.  However, the surgery does provide the ability to walk on the injured leg immediately – reducing the risk of problems related to prolonged immobilization such as blood clots, bed sores, pneumonia, and other issues.  Dr. Bushnell has extensive experience in hemiarthroplasty surgery, with very fast average surgical times and a history of excellent clinical results.

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Hip Hemiarthroplasty

Hip Pinning, also known as “percutaneous screw fixation of the hip,” is a procedure in which the surgeon inserts 3 screws to stabilize the femoral head, or the “ball” of the hip, to the upper part of the thigh bone, or the “neck” of the hip.  After placement of the screws, the fractured hip is stable enough to bear weight – allowing patients to begin walking immediately after surgery.  Although the fracture still has to heal, this procedure usually can be done through a minimally invasive incision of about 3-4cm.

For more information about Hip Pinning surgery, please visit:

Hip Pinning Surgery (E-Orthopod)