What is Hip Replacement?
A hip replacement entails the surgeon removing the painful hip joint and replacing it with artificial joint often made from metal and plastic components.
What are the Symptoms to be treated by Hip Replacement?
- Hip or groin pain, that interferes with your daily activities
- Stiffness in the hip and unable to wear footwear by bending down.
- Unable to walk even the normal distance as usual.
- Cannot stand on your problem leg for longer than a minute – even with the support .
What are the Pre surgery process for Hip Replacement?
- Smoking can delay wound healing and slow down the recovery period, so stop smoking at least 1 week prior to the surgery.?
- Lose weight if you need to.
- Do conditioning exercises as prescribed to strengthen muscles.
- Based on your health condition, your healthcare provider may order other specific tests or exams.
What are the Surgery Procedure for Hip Replacement?
- Hip replacement procedure starts by making a incision near hip and move the muscles connected to the top of the thigh bone to expose the hip joint.?- The ball portion of the joint is removed by cutting the thigh bone with a saw.
- An artificial joint is attached to the thigh bone using either cement or a special material that allows the remaining bone to attach to the new joint.
- After removing any damaged cartilage , replacement socket part is attached to the hipbone.
- The new ball part of the thighbone is then inserted into the socket part of the hip.
- A drain may be put in to help drain any fluid. The doctor then reattaches the muscles and closes the incision.
What are Post Surgery Care to be taken?
- Physical therapy usually begins the day after surgery and within days you can walk with a walker, crutches, or a cane.
- Continuous physical therapy is recommended for months post surgery
- Sit in a firm, straight-back chair. Recliners should not be used.
- Use an elevated toilet seat.
- Keep enthusiastic pets away until you have healed completely.
- Keep stair climbing to a minimum
What are the Risks of Hip Replacement surgery?
- Blood clots, Infections and bleedings ?- Legs may not be of equal length after the surgery.
- You must be careful not to cross your legs or not to sit too low because the joint may be dislocated.
- Pieces of fat in the bone marrow may become loose, enter the bloodstream and get into the lungs, which can cause very serious breathing - problems.
- Nerves in the hip area may be injured from swelling or pressure and can cause some numbness.
- The replacement parts may become loose, break, or become infected.
- Need for revision or additional hip surgery.
