ABSTRACT
Disease of the hip, whether from osteoarthritis, hip fracture, or another etiology, is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. The burden on both patients and the health care system is immense. Some authors estimate that by the year 2040, over 500,000 hip fractures will occur in the United States, incurring $16 billion in health care expenses (1). Furthermore, over 250,000 total hip arthroplasties are performed in the United States each year for osteoarthritis and a variety of other diseases.
