Understanding your hip

The hip is a “ball and socket” joint. The aim of total hip replacement is to relieve pain and improve movement by replacing one or both the parts. Hip replacement is one of the most replaced joints and has an excellent record of recovery and relief. Total hip replacements are usually performed for people with arthritis which gets worse and no longer responds to other treatments. The most common type of arthritis is osteo – arthritis, which happens with aging, congenital abnormality of the hip joint or previous injury to the hip joint.

There are different types of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) that may cause hip pain.

The following are some of the types of arthritis of the hip:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA), also called as “wear and tear arthritis”, in which cartilage wears down over time
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory arthritis of the joints
  • Avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition where the “ball” or femoral head has lost its healthy supply of blood flow causing the bone to die and the femoral head to become misshapen
  • Hip dysplasia, a condition where bones around the hip did not form properly, which may cause misalignment of the hip joint

Symptoms:

  • Pain while standing or walking short distances, climbing up or down stairs, or getting in and out of chairs
  • Pain in the groin, thigh, or buttock area
  • The affected hip feeling stiff or tight due to a loss in its range of motion
  • Joint stiffness after getting out of bed
  • Signs of limping and/or favoring the opposite leg as to not put any weight on the affected hip joint

What is hip replacement surgery ?

Hip replacement is also called anthroplasty which is a procedure of replacing painful hip joints with artificial joints made of metal and plastic components.

The hip replacement surgery can be performed using standard techniques or minimal invasive procedures which can ease pain, reduce scar and reduce hospitalization.

In a hip replacement surgery, the ball portion is cut and replaced by an artificial joint and attached.

The damaged cartilage is removed and the thighbone is attached with the hipbone.

Why is hip replacement recommended ?

If there is pain while performing simple daily activities like walking, climbing stairs or restless sleep, we suggest to get an expert opinion.

With further tests, we can suggest medications to ease the pain along with physiotherapy.

If these measures do not relieve the pain and the stifness, hip replacement surgery will be necessary to restore your hips function.

How is the surgery done?

A total hip replacement removes the damaged areas of the bone and is replaced with prosthetic components. The socket is replaced with an artificial cup. The artificial joint is called a prosthesis.

Usually, bone cement is used to fix the prosthesis into the bone. In other cases, a prosthesis is used which allows the bone to grow onto the outer surface of the prosthesis.

Hip joint is exposed using an incision on the back of the hip and over the buttock. Joint is exposed after separating the muscle and cutting through the capsule.

The worn and damaged surface of the bone and cartilage from upper end of femur (thigh bone) and pelvis are removed and shaped to accept the prosthetic implants. These surfaces are replaced with metal and plastic/ceramic implants.

Any risks or side effects of the surgery

Knee replacement surgery is safe for most people but comes with some risk as in any other surgery.

  • Infection
  • Blood clots in the veins of the leg.
  • Prosthetic problems like loosening and instability.

It’s important to stay connected with us post your surgery through regular visits and checkups as prescribed and needed.

Post-operative care & recovery

More than 90% of people who have total knee replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities of daily living. You can move around with the help of a walker or crutch. Your activities have to be controlled and would need help for the next two months.

As suggested by use and your physio therapist, you need to be active and do exercises and regular activities in moderate levels. Jumping, running, cycling or any activity which can put excess pressure on the joints are best to be avoided. Your healing will depend on multiple factors before you can resume your normal activities, we should be consulted before taking any further steps

After surgery, make sure you also do the following:

  • Participate in regular light exercise programs to maintain proper strength and mobility of your new knee
  • Take special precautions to avoid falls and injuries. If you break a bone in your leg, you may require more surgery
  • See your orthopaedic surgeon periodically for a routine follow-up examination and x-rays, usually once a year

Any risks or side effects of the surgery

Hip replacement surgery is safe for most people but comes with some risk as in any other surgery.

  • Infection
  • Blood clots in the veins of the leg.
  • Prosthetic problems like loosening and instability.
  • Leg length discrepancy

It’s important to stay connected with us post your surgery through regular visits and checkups as prescribed and needed.

Tell your doctor if you have

  • Redness, swelling or warmth around the cut
  • Leakage from the cut
  • Fever and chills
  • Severe knee pain that is not relieved by prescribed painkillers
  • Sudden sharp pain and clicking or popping sound in the knee joint
  • Loss of control over leg movement
  • Loss of leg movement
  • Any other surgeries planned ahead

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the condition of the joints and tissues around which can be diagnosed through x-rays and other tests. Medication and pain killers will be tried to relive you of the pain but if it doesn’t subside, hip replacement will be the option.

No, age is not a consideration for a hip replacement surgery, only the conditions are.

Doctors instructions have to be followed diligently and utmost precautions have to be taken for you to get back to normal pain free lifestyle. There has to be a gradual and persistent progress in physical activities which might take upto 12 months post-surgery.

The average cost of hip replacement is around Rs.3.5 lakhs & can go upto 6 lakhs depending on multiple factors like method of surgery, implants, replacement kind and hospital stay.

The surgery takes 45-90 mins or more depending on the patients case. The patient needs to stay in the hospital for a day or two during which physiotherapy will begin. Total recovery can take upto 8 – 10 weeks.

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