Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip Replacement Surgery is a procedure in which a painful joint is replaced with prosthetic components. It is considered as a last resort when all other treatment methods have failed to relieve the pain.

Hip Replacement Surgery performs on people in the age group of 50 to 80 years. This procedure is performed in case of arthritis of the hip. Arthritis is a medical condition that damages the cartilage, without which bones rub against each other causing severe pain.
Hip Replacement may use as a treatment option in case of 3 types of arthritis:

• 1. Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that results in swollen and painful joints throughout the body.
• 2. Traumatic Arthritis: Damage in the joints resulting from injuries.
• 3. Osteoarthritis: It is a joint condition that results from the breakdown of underlying cartilage bone. Osteoarthritis observes in older adults..

Hip Replacement Surgery is beneficial to those who have:

• Hip pain and it restricts their daily activity.
• Stiffness in a hip which limits their ability to move the leg.
• Pain even they are provided with adequate Medications and Physiotherapy.
• Pain even while resting.

During the Surgery, the patient is given general anesthesia, which helps relax muscles, prevents the patient from feeling pain or any awareness of the surgery. An incision of about 10 to 12 inches makes along the side or back of the hip, and the muscles are moved to expose the bones at the hip joint. Then the ball portion of the thighbone also known as the femur head is removed and an artificial joint is attached to the thighbone. The damaged cartilage removes, and the surface of the hip bone prepares for the insertion of the new socket. Once it happens, it checks for ease of movement and dislocation. The muscle and other soft tissues get repaired, and the cut on the skin is stitched back together.

Over the last few years, a minimally invasive approach to hip replacement surgery has developed wherein the incision is only about 2 to 5 inches long. However, the procedure remains the same as in case of the traditional hip replacement surgery.

Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery typically involved a hospital stay of 3 to 7 days. The patient has to take a few precautions to prevent dislocation of the implant.

Over the last few years, a minimally invasive approach to hip replacement surgery has developed wherein the incision is only about 2 to 5 inches long. However, the procedure remains the same as in case of the traditional hip replacement surgery.

Recovery:

Successful recovery depends on following a physical therapy routine. Physiotherapy would help the patient learn exercises that promote blood flow to the hip joint, increase muscle strength and also increase the range of motion.

Risk and Complications:

The single most common threat to hip replacement surgery is the hip dislocation. At least, an estimate of 3% of the patients experience this. It can generally get corrected without surgery, however, if a new hip repeatedly dislocates then another operation may become necessary. Another significant risk is Infection. Antibiotics are administered at the time of surgery to reduce this risk. The chances of infection also decrease as the surgical wound heals.

Other risks:

•    Damage to soft tissues around the hip.
•    Inflammation.
•    Hip Stiffness.
•    Slight difference in the length of legs post surgery.