Debbie posted re- mini-incision hip replacements >technique is also proving to be virtually pain-free in >many patients and results in less surgery blood loss >and less chance of post-operation blood clots. It also >reduces or eliminates months of grueling >rehabilitation therapy and is proving to drastically >cut the risk of later chance of limping... > >"...And since months of the rehabilitation process can >cost $20,000 or more per patient, and many getting hip >replacement surgery are on Medicare, by reducing that >rehabilitation to days or eliminating it altogether, >the health-care system can save billions of dollars a >year..."
Way cool. Most of the time the procedures aren't the limitation for quick recovery, it is the tissue trauma. (Even for a knee arthroscopy the camera follows a metal object that looks like a dull pencil that pushes into the tissue). This would minimize alot of muscle cutting and bleeding- like they said). The replacement "parts" themselves are the biggest limitation. The "average" person doesn't need "months" of therapy costing $20,000. Thanks to CMS there is a $1590 cap on non-hospital outpatient rehab and that covers many people (who hopefully don't get any other injuries in that calendar year. (There are always people who have are really medically involved and need to stay at a rehab hospital I suppose.) Total hips increase the quality of life for so many people it will be great if we can make it "easier" for people (and less life threatening). Now if we can just get them to last more than 20-25 years. Dee _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
