Hip replacement surgery is becoming increasingly common. While at one time, it may have been thought that one replacement is as good as the next, surgeons and researchers have learned that there is no one-size-fits all hip replacement.

Surgeons make the decision of what type of implant to use based on a few different factors:

- how big is the person having the surgery
- how much of the hip is being replaced (partial versus total)
- in what condition is the patient's bone

Artificial hips, like most other man-made objects, may fail from time to time. It's unfortunate, but it does happen. They may fail due to a design flaw, a problem in manufacturing, or even surgical error. When this happens, it's important that the manufacturer knows because news has to be sent out to the orthopedic surgeons who use the devices and the hospitals and clinics who order them.

The Charnley hip replacement has been around since the 1960s, when it was pioneered as a low-friction hip replacement. Hip replacements (arthroplasties) are, in general, one of the most carefully watched and followed surgeries in the United States, including the Charnley replacement. The authors of this article wanted to update the results of hip replacement recipients 35 years or more after they received their replacement.

Studies on the use of steroid injections for groin tendon problems are not plentiful. Research shows that one to three steroid injections of soft tissues for acute and/or chronic inflammatory pain can be beneficial. More than that and the risk outweighs the benefit because steroids are known to break down collagen fibers that make up tendons and muscles.

There are different problems that can cause groin pain. Before making a decision about your training regimen, see a sports medicine specialist for an examination and diagnosis. If you have a simple tendon strain, the treatment approach is very different from a sports hernia or stress reaction (fracture).

Competitive and recreational sports athletes can develop painful groin symptoms from a pulled muscle. The condition is called adductor enthesis. Adductor refers to the group of four leg muscles that attach to the pubic bone in the pelvic/groin area. Enthesis is the place where the tendon meets the bone. Usually this spot is a mixture of fibrous and cartilage soft tissue.

Immediate weight-bearing after surgery for hip fracture has been proven safe and effective in several studies. But as a general protocol, the medical practice of getting people up and walking again right away has not been adopted universally.

Preoperative testing is not uncommon before surgery -- especially for older adults who are at risk for complications from surgery. The surgeon wants to do everything possible to reduce those risks and assure the best results possible.

Older adults with hip fractures often have an underlying diagnosis of osteoporosis (brittle bones). As you have indicated, we know that complications associated with hip fractures in this age group are common -- and can be deadly.

Anticoagulation with Coumadin is a way to thin the blood and prevent blood clots that can travel to the heart, lungs, or brain and cause stroke or death. There's a lot of debate yet about the best way to handle situations like you described.