He’s not in real estate, but he’ll help you move

Duke orthopaedic surgeon Michael Bolognesi, MD, can get you moving again with the most advanced technology for joint replacement.

How has hip replacement surgery advanced in recent years?

For one, we’re using a much less invasive approach today. We’ve developed techniques that allow us to put the implants in through a smaller incision. This can mean less trauma and a shorter recovery for the patient.

Michael Bolognesi, MD

What about new technology for hip replacement?

In the past, we only did hip replacements where there was a metal ball that touched a plastic liner. What we’ve gone to now in some cases is a hip replacement that allows us to put a metal ball against a metal liner or a metal ball against newer, more durable plastic. We hope that these new bearing surfaces will allow us to avoid worrying about the liner wearing out. It’s not only the new bearing surface that excites us about these hip replacements, but also the improved range of motion and stability.

How do you achieve that?

With these newer materials, we’re more able to match your anatomy by using a ball that closely matches the size of the ball that’s in your hip joint. That can allow for a greater range of motion and improved stability.

What else should I know about joint replacement at Duke?

Duke is one of the few places in the country performing advanced, computer-assisted hip and knee replacement procedures at a high volume. Patients come to us from all over the state and even the country. We are lucky to have a team of four surgeons that only do hip and knee reconstruction procedures. A wide range of techniques, including vascularized bone grafting, arthroscopy of the hip and knee, partial replacements, osteotomy and hip resurfacing are used by our team in an effort to delay the need for a total joint replacement. Many of these techniques were pioneered and perfected at Duke.

Dr. Bolognesi and his colleagues Drs. David Attarian, Scott Kelley, and Sam Wellman perform more than 1,000 hip and knee replacements each year on patients from young adults to senior citizens.