Updated August 06, 2006

Radiation Therapy To Prevent Heterotopic Bone Formation

Hi all

The radiation therapy is used by some surgeons to prevent heterotropic bone formation following total hip
replacement. In cemented total hip replacement this does not cause much
problem. However in Hip Resurfacing (Acetabular side) and uncemented
total Hip Replacement the fixation of prosthesis is by the
natural bone growing on the prosthesis. When radiation is used this
natural bone growth is also affected which may lead to failure of
fixation. The inventors of Birmingham hip resurfacing do not advise
radiation. We follow this and we never had anyheterotropic bone growth
following hip resurfacing.

Dr. G. Balasubramanian
India

The Hip
Resurfacing Center Coimbatore, India