Wrightington Hosptal

Where it all began

 

 

Standing in a pleasant stretch of open countryside near Wigan at the very heart of the North West Region, Wrightington Hospital is readily accessible from the National Motorway Network.

 

Wrightington's reputation for excellence attracts highly talented Orthopaedic Consultants who specialise in hip and joint surgery, and in the medical disciplines of rheumatology and rehabilitation.

 

Wrightington Hospital's status as a Centre of Excellence - Orthopaedic Surgery in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disease. Professor Sir John Charnley, who pioneered hip replacement surgery involving the techniques of low-friction arthroplasty and also innovative advances to counter post-operative infection. The first ever hip-replacement operations were performed at Wrightington in the early 1960s.

 

While drawing strength from the past, Wrightington looks to the future, determined to sustain its reputation as a hospital at the leading edge of both practice and research.

 

 

The method of a Hip Replacement Today

 

In a total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty), the damaged bone and cartilage is removed and replaced with prosthetic components.

 

The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a metal stem that is placed into the hollow centre of the femur. The femoral stem may be either cemented or "press fit" into the bone.

 

A metal or ceramic ball is placed on the upper part of the stem. This ball replaces the damaged femoral head that was removed.

 

The damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket. Screws or cement are sometimes used to hold the socket in place.

 

A plastic, ceramic, or metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and the socket to allow for a smooth gliding surface.