 New
Ceramic-on-Ceramic Hip Eases Pain
Joel Wallskog, M.D.
The Orthopedic Institute of Wisconsin
Hubertus Man Takes Advantage of Breakthrough Technology at Aurora Medical
Center in Hartford
Every time Bob Davis of Hubertus, WI goes through airport security he sets
off all the sirens. Since December, it happens every time. But this frequent
flyer doesn’t mind. He couldn’t be happier because the culprit in the security
alert is his new ceramic hip. Davis travels all over the world for his job.
Walking through airports, sitting on long overseas flights and just daily living
had become unbearable because of osteoarthritis, the most common form of
degenerative arthritis, in his hip.
“I suffered terribly for at least three and a half years,” remembers Davis.
“Every six weeks I was going in for a cortisone shot in my hip so I could just
get by.”
But on December 2, 2003 he became one of the first people in Washington
county to receive a new ceramic-on-ceramic hip replacement. The procedure was
performed at Aurora Medical Center in Hartford by Dr. Joel Wallskog, a
fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip, knee and shoulder
replacements.
 “Bob
was basically told to live with his pain,” explains Dr. Wallskog. Many potential
patients are often told they are too young for a traditional hip replacement.
Usually it’s because traditional artificial hip components typically only last
between 10 and 20 years. These components feature metal on plastic surfaces that
wear out over time, releasing debris into the joint and surrounding tissues. The
wear may be more common in younger, more active patients and thus traditional
hip replacements are generally not considered an option.
But the new revolutionary ceramic-on-ceramic hip joint implant system is a
technological breakthrough in design and materials. The ceramic hip system has
an extremely low degree of friction, does not cause debris, and most
importantly, does not wear out over time.
In mid-2003, Dr. Wallskog became the first physician in Washington county to
perform the new ceramic hip replacement. “Ceramic hip replacements are a better
option for a particular group of younger patients: active people in their 40s,
50s and 60s,” says Dr. Wallskog.
Bob Davis was ready. He had stopped enjoying things like golf and he
desperately wanted to improve the quality of his life. “I was extremely
fortunate to have such a phenomenal doctor. He was very detailed with me in
explaining how the surgery works and made sure I knew all of the ramifications,”
says Davis.
And now, nearly four months after his new ceramic hip replacement, Bob is
ready to enjoy golf, walking and traveling. He carries a card, with his doctor’s
name and number on it that explains his new hip. So, according to Davis, he
doesn’t mind that he sets off the alarms at the airport, he has his life back.
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