Vanishing Bone: Conquering a Stealth Disease Caused by Total Hip Replacements

In Vanishing Bone: Conquering a Stealth Caused by Total Hip Replacements, the author presents the reader with a socio-medical history of total hip replacement, problems that have occurred with total hip replacements since their inception, and an overview of clinical care in the field of total hip replacement. The book provides a visual and almost verbal perspective of the events that discovered periprosthetic osteolysis, how alternative types of hip replacements were tested and examined, and what steps were taken to implement alternatives both legally and clinically. Periprosthetic osteolysis in total hip replacements is best described as localized bone degeneration or erosion near the prosthetic device. Clinical examples of actual patients are presented as a way to validate the issues being described and to evaluate the utility of findings. Two key strengths emerge from the book. The first is the intersection of clinical practice and research methodology that is demonstrated. The author clearly documents the process of determining an issue within clinical care and transcending this to a thorough research examination of the problem, hypothesizing solutions, and analyzing data. The reader will be able to ascertain the clinical and research utility of the process described for discovering periprosthetic osteolysis and finding an alternative for total hip replacement. The second strength is the book makes evident a thorough examination of a clinical issue and utilizes outside-of-the-box thinking where applicable, whereby setting aside clinical findings or what can be seen. Harris notes that he asked what happened inside the hip when walking when all other questions had been exhausted. His discussion of the resulting byproducts illustrates to the reader the range of alternatives and options that were considered for periprosthetic osteolysis and finding alternatives. Overall, all sides of the process, both good and bad, were discussed; this is appreciated as it examines ethical dilemmas as well as the anxiety that may happen when conducting research. Two weaknesses were seen in the book. First, and foremost, is the limited audience for the book. Rehabilitation professionals, medical students overall, and students within biomedical ethics, history of medicine, social science research, or medical research courses may have a need for a book such as this as it explores the intersection of clinical practice and research. The second weakness is that the book does include medical terminology that not all may be able to figure out. While the book does a good job of limiting this, it is present at times. In summary, Vanishing Bone: Conquering a Stealth Caused by Total Hip Replacements is an interesting read. The processes and practices that were utilized demonstrate an evidence-based approach for the interdisciplinary clinical practice of today.