William H. Harris (orthopaedic surgeon)

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William H. Harris
William H. Harris.jpeg
Born (1927-11-18) November 18, 1927 (age 96)
Education Haverford College (BS)
University of Pennsylvania (MD)
SpouseJohanna A. (Nan) Harris
Medical career
Profession orthopaedic surgeon
Institutions Massachusetts General Hospital
Sub-specialties total hip replacement
Website williamhharris.technoir.net

William H. Harris, is an American orthopaedic surgeon, Founder and Director Emeritus of the Massachusetts General Hospital Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory, [1] and creator of the Advances in Arthroplasty course held annually since 1970. [2]

Contents

Much of Harris' research focuses on osteolysis, the deterioration of bone tissue around joint replacement implants, and developing highly cross-linked polyethylene to counter the issue of osteolysis. Fifteen years of wide spread use of highly cross-linked polyethylene in patients have shown it to be very effective in preventing osteolysis. Harris is also recognized for performing the world's first successful total hip replacement in a patient with a total congenital dislocation of the hip and for developing the first effective cement-free acetabular component.

In addition, Harris is known for developing the Harris Hip Score which rates a patient's progress on pain and function following surgery. [3] [4] His work inspired surgical techniques, implant design, development of new operations, prevention of blood clot formation, and other leading advances in hip surgery.

Early life and education

Harris was born in 1927 in Great Falls, Montana and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He received his B.S. from Haverford College in 1947 with High Honors and his M.D. from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1951. Harris interned at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and completed a one-year general surgery residency there.

Career

He completed orthopedic training at the Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Harris performed one of the first femoral head autograft procedures and one of the first femoral head allograft procedures: two techniques that are now widely used. Along with his research staff at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harris was the first to centrifuge cement. The Total System, introduced in 1983, was designed by Harris and was the first integrated system offering an entire range of cemented and cementless implants.

Harris was one of the two designers to create the first successful cementless acetabular component. This was the first time screws were put through the acetabular component to fix it to the skeleton. He is also the designer of one of the most successful long-term cemented femoral components.

Harris was Chief of the Adult Reconstructive Surgery and Director of the Harris Orthopedic Laboratory of the Massachusetts General Hospital. He has been Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Harvard Medical School since 1974 and was awarded the Alan Gerry Chair as Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School in 1997.

Harris is a founding member of The Hip Society of North America and served as the organization's first president. He went on to be a founding member and president of the International Hip Society. The Hip Society granted Dr. Harris a record ten honorary awards for outstanding contributions to hip surgery, and he has twice won the Kappa Delta Award of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons for outstanding orthopedic research. Dr. Harris is the author of some 520 scientific publications and three textbooks dealing with hip surgery, arthritis and diseases of the skeleton.

Honors and awards

Publications

Partial list:

Related Research Articles

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Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip replacement</span> Surgery replacing hip joint with prosthetic implant

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant, that is, a hip prosthesis. Hip replacement surgery can be performed as a total replacement or a hemi/semi(half) replacement. Such joint replacement orthopaedic surgery is generally conducted to relieve arthritis pain or in some hip fractures. A total hip replacement consists of replacing both the acetabulum and the femoral head while hemiarthroplasty generally only replaces the femoral head. Hip replacement is one of the most common orthopaedic operations, though patient satisfaction varies widely. Approximately 58% of total hip replacements are estimated to last 25 years. The average cost of a total hip replacement in 2012 was $40,364 in the United States, and about $7,700 to $12,000 in most European countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avascular necrosis</span> Death of bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply

Avascular necrosis (AVN), also called osteonecrosis or bone infarction, is death of bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply. Early on, there may be no symptoms. Gradually joint pain may develop, which may limit the person's ability to move. Complications may include collapse of the bone or nearby joint surface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knee replacement</span> Surgical procedure

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint replacement</span> Orthopedic surgery to replace a joint

Joint replacement is a procedure of orthopedic surgery known also as arthroplasty, in which an arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with an orthopedic prosthesis. Joint replacement is considered as a treatment when severe joint pain or dysfunction is not alleviated by less-invasive therapies. Joint replacement surgery is often indicated from various joint diseases, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip resurfacing</span>

Hip resurfacing has been developed as a surgical alternative to total hip replacement (THR). The procedure consists of placing a cap, which is hollow and shaped like a mushroom, over the head of the femur while a matching metal cup is placed in the acetabulum, replacing the articulating surfaces of the person's hip joint and removing very little bone compared to a THR. When the person moves the hip, the movement of the joint induces synovial fluid to flow between the hard metal bearing surfaces lubricating them when the components are placed in the correct position. The surgeon's level of experience with hip resurfacing is most important; therefore, the selection of the right surgeon is crucial for a successful outcome. Health-related quality of life measures are markedly improved and the person's satisfaction is favorable after hip resurfacing arthroplasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip dysplasia</span> Joint abnormality

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoroacetabular impingement</span> Medical condition

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition involving one or more anatomical abnormalities of the hip joint, which is a ball and socket joint. It is a common cause of hip pain and discomfort in young and middle-aged adults. It occurs when the ball shaped femoral head contacts the acetabulum abnormally or does not permit a normal range of motion in the acetabular socket. Damage can occur to the articular cartilage, or labral cartilage, or both. The condition may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. It may cause osteoarthritis of the hip. Treatment options range from conservative management to surgery.

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Metallosis is the medical condition involving deposition and build-up of metal debris in the soft tissues of the body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip arthroscopy</span>

Hip arthroscopy refers to the viewing of the interior of the acetabulofemoral (hip) joint through an arthroscope and the treatment of hip pathology through a minimally invasive approach. This technique is sometimes used to help in the treatment of various joint disorders and has gained popularity because of the small incisions used and shorter recovery times when compared with conventional surgical techniques. Hip arthroscopy was not feasible until recently, new technology in both the tools used and the ability to distract the hip joint has led to a recent surge in the ability to do hip arthroscopy and the popularity of it.

Limb-sparing techniques, also known as limb-saving or limb-salvage techniques, are performed in order to preserve the look and function of limbs. Limb-sparing techniques are used to preserve limbs affected by trauma, arthritis, cancers such as high-grade bone sarcomas, and vascular conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers. As the techniques for chemotherapy, radiation, and diagnostic modalities improve, there has been a trend toward limb-sparing procedures to avoid amputation, which has been associated with a lower 5-year survival rate and cost-effectiveness compared to limb salvage in the long-run. There are many different types of limb-sparing techniques, including arthrodesis, arthroplasty, endoprosthetic reconstruction, various types of implants, rotationplasty, osseointegration limb replacement, fasciotomy, and revascularization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip prosthesis zones</span>

After hip replacement, hip prosthesis zones are regions in the interface between prosthesis material and the surrounding bone. These are used as reference regions when describing for example complications including hip prosthesis loosening on medical imaging. Postoperative controls after hip replacement surgery is routinely done by projectional radiography in anteroposterior and lateral views.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labral reconstruction</span> Medical procedure

Labral reconstruction is a type of hip arthroscopy in which the patient's native labrum is partially or completely removed and reconstructed using either autograft or allograft tissue. Originally described in 2009 using the ligamentum teres capitis, arthroscopic labral reconstruction using a variety of graft tissue has demonstrated promising short and mid-term clinical outcomes. Most importantly, labral reconstruction has demonstrated utility when the patient's native labral tissue is far too damaged for debridement or repair.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "William Harris, M.D." Massachusetts General Hospital. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  2. "Recognizing an MGH innovator". Massachusetts General Hospital. Retrieved 2014-05-15.
  3. Atkinson, Karen; Coutts, Fiona; Hassenkamp, Anne-Marie (2005). Physiotherapy in Orthopaedics: A Problem-solving Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 237. ISBN   9780443074066.
  4. Marya, S. K. S.; Bawari, R. K. (2010). Total Hip Replacement Surgery: Principles and Techniques. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. pp. 64–66. ISBN   978-8184488845 . Retrieved 2014-05-16.