Complex Orthopaedic Conditions | Dr Thomas Hilton | Bone Tumour Specialist | Cape Town

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Complex Orthopaedic Conditions

Dr Thomas Hilton specialises in solving complex orthopaedic challenges, including severe injuries and post-surgical complications, using cutting-edge techniques to restore function and enhance quality of life.

Understanding Complex Orthopaedic Challenges

Pathological fractures occur when bones break due to an underlying condition, such as a tumour, osteoporosis, or infection, rather than trauma. These fractures can weaken the bone significantly, making treatment more complex.

Key points:

Common in bones affected by cancer, benign tumours, or other diseases.
Symptoms include sudden pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected limb.
Treatment may involve stabilisation with plates, screws, or rods, and addressing the underlying condition.

Complex trauma involves severe injuries that affect multiple areas of the bone or surrounding tissues. Failed fractures occur when a broken bone does not heal properly, requiring additional intervention.

Key points:

May involve bone loss, infection, or deformity.
Requires advanced surgical techniques, such as bone grafting or custom implants.
Focuses on restoring function and mobility.

Non-union occurs when a fracture fails to heal, while malunion happens when the bone heals incorrectly, leading to deformity or functional issues. These complications can arise after previous surgeries or untreated fractures.

Key points:

Symptoms may include persistent pain, instability, or visible deformity.
Treatment may involve corrective surgery, bone grafting, or realignment with internal fixation devices.
Aims to address both structural and functional challenges.

Advanced arthritis involves severe damage to the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. When conservative treatments are no longer effective, joint replacement may be necessary.

Key points:

Commonly affects the hips and knees, but can involve other joints.
Involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with prosthetic components.
Focuses on pain relief and restoring joint function for improved quality of life.

Treatments and Procedures

Complex joint replacement is performed for patients with severe joint damage, deformities, or failed previous replacements. These surgeries require detailed planning and customised approaches.

Key points:

Often involves custom prostheses or advanced techniques to address unique challenges.
Focuses on restoring stability, alignment, and mobility.
Suitable for cases with extensive bone loss or significant joint damage.

Periprosthetic fractures are fractures around an implanted joint replacement. These fractures require specialised care to stabilise the bone and preserve the prosthesis.

Key points:

Treatment depends on the stability of the implant and severity of the fracture.
May involve plates, screws, or revision surgery to replace the prosthesis.
Focuses on restoring joint function and reducing complications.

Limb reconstruction involves advanced surgical procedures to restore the structure and function of a limb after trauma, tumour removal, or other damage.

Key points:

Includes techniques like bone grafting, external fixation, and custom implants.
Addresses complex defects or deformities while preserving limb function.
May require multiple stages depending on the severity of the condition.

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