Hip fractures are common hip injuries that happen most often to elderly men and women due to their weakened bones. Incidents like falls or accidents often lead to hip fractures. While elderly people are most prone to fractures, Caucasians, females, and those who are physically inactive or petite are particularly susceptible to hip fractures.

If you suspect you have a hip fracture, you will experience pain and have difficulty walking and should seek medical treatment right away. Based on your situation, your doctor will recommend the most appropriate surgery for you, which usually includes either hip repair or partial or total hip replacement. You can expect to have mobility back after surgery but will take 10 to 12 weeks to recover fully.

Computer-aided surgery (navigation) has received much attention in recent years. This type of surgery involves a camera and computer system to guide the surgeon through the procedure. Proponents of computer-aided surgery believe that it gives the physician the opportunity to better customize the surgery for the patient's specific anatomy. Claims are made that this allows less invasive techniques and quicker recovery times.

Dr. Scott was the first orthopaedic surgeon in the Inland Northwest area to test and make use of computer-aided surgery technology and also helped to develop the system for a major manufacturer. While this technique can be effective, it's important to know that current non-computer-assisted techniques are very effective and can be preferable for many patients. Dr. Scott is an expert in this area of computer-assisted navigation and it's important to talk with him about the most effective surgery technique for your needs.

Ceramic-on-metal replacements are a more recent development in hip replacement. Dr. Scott has completed important research on this type of replacement and the Spokane Joint Replacement Center is one of just 12 sites nationwide leading this clinical research. Early clinical studies show a minimal amount of wear, making these implants a promising option for younger patients who will need a durable hip that can last for decades. This is not yet FDA-approved, but Dr Scott's patients were allowed access to this leading technology.

There are many brands and several types of hip implants available to patients. Each implant option has materials that attach to your leg bone (femur) and your hip socket (acetabulum). There is abundant information available on the Internet, and some manufacturers of these implants perform extensive advertising.

With so many choices out there, remember that your physician should help you identify the treatment you need. Some of the Internet material is confusing or misleading. Dr. Scott can help you make the most informed decision regarding your care as he has years of experience with all the options, and in some cases has been involved in their development.

Hip implant options vary according to your medical condition, age, gender, etc. Implant options include materials made of metal, plastic, and ceramic and are adhered to the bone using acrylic cement or other non-cement options. Typically, older patients benefit from the cement options due to their weakened bones while younger patients can benefit from non-cement materials. Typical types of implant options include metal and polyethylene, ceramic-on-ceramic, and metal-on-metal.

Dr. Scott has been involved in the design of new hip implant systems and can provide details to help you determine the option best suited to you.

Minimally invasive surgery is true to its name, seeking to minimize tissue damage and recovery times as much as possible. The term “minimally invasive” is used a lot in orthopaedics today, with some perceiving it to be more effective than traditional surgery. Dr. Scott sees it as minimally traumatic as opposed to minimally invasive: like building a model ship in an empty bottle – it can be done but it doesn’t leave you a lot of room to work in its small opening. If the complications of working through the small opening weren’t a factor, you would have a lot more flexibility and freedom to build the best ship possible.

Dr. Scott’s precise approach to the surgery focuses on minimizing the damage to – and taking the best care of – the soft tissue within your joint. His minimally traumatic method is efficient, precise, and tailored to your body. This efficiency translates to shorter surgery time for patients, quicker recovery and the lowest possible complication rate. This kind of surgery isn’t about the size of your scar, but about the quality of the care you receive, the rapid healing you will experience, and the longevity of your successful surgery.

Dr. Scott was one of the first surgeons in the Pacific Northwest to perform less-invasive, minimally traumatic hip and knee replacement. He has the experience required to provide patients the best possible care in the least traumatic way.

A recent innovation in hip implants is the concept of modular design. Because everyone's body is different, it is often necessary to customize the implant design to each situation. With modular implants, orthopaedic surgeons have the flexibility to select from multiple sizes of heads, necks, and stems while remaining confident that the different sizes will fit and work well together. This benefits patients greatly as it allows physicians to better match the implant to the patient's natural body and movement. Dr. Scott has been utilizing modular hips for years to provide his patients better outcomes.

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is a relatively newer diagnosis that describes a condition that is a precursor to hip arthritis. Dr. Scott is performing surgical procedures that treat this condition without requiring the implantation of prosthetic parts. This is expected to postpone or eliminate the need for hip replacement in the future for select patients with this condition.

Hip resurfacing is a newer surgical procedure. It is a variation of hip replacement that may offer some advantages to the younger patient. Dr. Scott performed the first hip resurfacing procedure in the Inland Northwest, years before it was FDA-approved. Dr. Scott has found that there is a lot of misleading information about hip resurfacing on the Internet. Several brands have been approved for sale in the U.S. more recently, and there has been some advertising. Hip resurfacing is an excellent procedure for a small subset of patients with hip arthritis. Dr. Scott and his team at Spokane Joint Replacement Center are the best prepared to discuss the pros and cons of hip resurfacing with you.

Computer-aided surgery (navigation) has received much attention in recent years. This type of surgery involves a camera and computer system to guide the surgeon through the procedure. The proponents of computer-aided surgery believe that it gives the physician the opportunity to better customize the surgery for the patient's specific anatomy. Claims are made that this allows less invasive techniques and quicker recovery times.

Dr. Scott was the first orthopaedic surgeon in the Inland Northwest area to test and make use of computer-aided surgery technology and also helped to develop the system for a major manufacturer. While this technique can be effective, it's important to know that current non-computer-assisted techniques are very effective and can be preferable for many patients. Dr. Scott is an expert in this area of computer-assisted navigation, and it's important to talk with him about the most effective surgery technique for your needs.

Minimally invasive surgery is true to its name, seeking to minimize tissue damage and recovery times as much as possible. The term “minimally invasive” is used a lot in orthopaedics today, with some perceiving it to be more effective than traditional surgery. Dr. Scott sees it as minimally traumatic as opposed to minimally invasive: like building a model ship in an empty bottle – it can be done but it doesn’t leave you a lot of room to work in its small opening. If the complications of working through the small opening weren’t a factor, you would have a lot more flexibility and freedom to build the best ship possible.

Dr. Scott’s precise approach to the surgery focuses on minimizing the damage to – and taking the best care of – the soft tissue within your joint. His minimally traumatic method is efficient, precise, and tailored to your body. This efficiency translates to shorter surgery time for patients, quicker recovery and the lowest possible complication rate. This kind of surgery isn’t about the size of your scar, but about the quality of the care you receive, the rapid healing you will experience, and the longevity of your successful surgery.

Dr. Scott was one of the first surgeons in the Pacific Northwest to perform less-invasive, minimally traumatic hip and knee replacement. He has the experience required to provide patients the best possible care in the least traumatic way.

Partial knee replacement is similar to total knee replacement. Over time, these types of replacements have become less common as we have found that most injuries involve more than one component of the knee and the procedure and recovery are similar to that of total knee replacement. As with any procedure, your physician can make an informed recommendation around whether partial knee replacement is a good option for your situation.

In a knee replacement, up to four parts are implanted in the knee, replacing damaged portions of the femur, tibia, and patella. These plastic (tibia and patella) and metal (femur and tibia) implants use state-of-the-art materials designed to replicate the natural movements of the knee and last as long as possible. There has been development of different materials such as the mobile-bearing and gender-specific knee that you may have heard about in recent years. Dr. Scott is on the forefront of new technology and can talk with you about the best implant materials for your need. As in a natural knee, wear and tear will still occur with regular movement over time.

One decision an orthopaedic surgeon has to make when considering knee replacement is the use of cement in the procedure. Cement is used to connect the replacement parts to the bone and can be a very viable option as it can last for 20 years or more. Alternatively, cementless replacements rely on the bone to naturally fuse with the new parts. This can take time and often has a longer recovery period than cement procedures. This option is effective, however, and can be a viable option for younger patients. As with any procedure, your surgeon will evaluate your unique situation, and can work with you to identify the best treatment.

Dr. Scott is leading the way in alternatives to joint replacement. More recently, there has been an explosion in the interest in biologic alternatives – surgical options that do not require implanting metal parts. This includes viscosupplementation, osteotomy, meniscal repair and transplant, and cartilage transplant techniques.

Arthroscopy involves placing a small arthroscope that contains a camera through a small incision into the knee. This allows the doctor to gain a larger and clearer view of what's really going on inside the knee. This type of procedure is minimally invasive and can be effective for identifying and treating knee problems including torn ligaments, damaged cartilage, and more.

Due to injury, cartilage in the knee may have been removed or damaged and can become increasingly painful over time. Like cartilage repair, cartilage transplant uses donor tissue to replace the missing or damaged cartilage. Patients who are younger and have not yet developed arthritis in the joint may benefit from cartilage transplant surgery. This kind of transplant can help alleviate pain, providing more cushion to the joint as it functions.

When you have sustained significant damage in the form of a meniscus tear and have had damaged tissue removed from the knee, wear over time can cause increased pain. Patients who are younger and have not yet developed arthritis in the joint may benefit from meniscus transplant surgery. This surgery can help to alleviate pain and repair the tissue cushioning by replacing the damaged meniscus with donor cartilage.