What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?

Gone are the days when hip replacement surgeries were the last resort to managing the unbearable pain caused by damaged hip joints. Luckily, with the help of state-of-the-art surgical equipment and advanced technology, hip replacement surgeries are made easy with reduced risks and complications.

A common misconception surrounding hip replacement surgery is the fear of being pushed into surgery before exhausting non-invasive and alternative therapies. The ground reality is that your doctor would prescribe you a series of pain-controlling medications and physical therapy for at least 3 to 6 weeks before considering hip replacement surgery.

Once you have decided to give hip replacement surgery a go, it is essential to acquaint yourself with the procedure’s nitty-gritty, helping you keep your expectations in check.

Hip replacement surgery entails a surgeon removing the damaged parts of your hip joint and replacing them with artificial joints made from metal, ceramic, or rigid plastic. The new hip joint enables patients to gain a free range of motion, improving their functionality and mobility while reducing pain.

There are two types of hip replacement surgeries:

  • Total hip replacement surgery involves a complete swap of the femoral head and the acetabulum with prosthesis.
  • Partial hip replacement surgery in which only the femoral head is replaced with an artificial part. Partial hip replacement surgery is usually conducted in the case of hip fractures.

Rathi Hospital delivers the best orthopedic care with its experienced medical staff and top orthopedic specialists, making it the leading hospital offering practical solutions for pain relief.

They specialize in hip joint replacements, knee joint replacements, total knee replacements, and more in Satellite, Ahmedabad.

Who Needs Hip Replacement Surgery?

The ideal candidate for hip replacement surgery is someone who suffers from chronic hip pain that:

  • Hampers your daily activities despite pain medications
  • Magnifies with walking even when using assistive devices
  • Disrupts our sleep
  • Restricts mobility
  • Limits range of motion

Common Causes of Hip Pain

Several medical conditions can affect the functionality and strength of a hip joint, paving the way for hip replacement surgery. Some of these conditions are:
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases accompanying aging that is especially common in women. Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis hampers the function of joints by damaging the cartilage covering the ends of joint bones.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis
Another common autoimmune disease causes inflammation and erodes the cartilage covering joint bones and the underlying bone, which leads to damaged joints.

3. Osteonecrosis
Osteonecrosis is a condition usually caused by dislocation or fracture of the bone, cutting off the blood circulation to the hip joint’s ball portion, causing the bone to collapse or deform.

4. Childhood Hip Disease
Childhood hip disease is diagnosed in infants and children suffering from hip problems that can cause arthritis later as they age. Childhood hip disease may inhibit average hip growth affecting the joint surfaces hampering its functionality later in life.

5. Post-traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is usually caused by a severe hip injury or fracture, causing damage to the cartilage protecting the bone, leading to severe hip pain and stiffness.

Potential Risks & Precautions

The risk factors surrounding hip replacement surgery are as follows:

Blood Clots
Blood clotting is our body’s natural mechanism to cope with cuts and injuries. While blood clotting on our exterior is a great thing, internal blood clotting can put one’s life at risk restricting blood flow to organs.

Tip: Blood clot formation is a severe risk post-surgery which is why your doctor may prescribe you blood-thinning medications for the weeks following your hip replacement surgery. Another way to minimize the risk of blood clot formation is following your doctor’s prescribed physical therapy guidelines for optimum blood circulation.

Infection
Infection is another common risk factor associated with invasive surgery of any kind. Your incision site is at risk of being infected, which can even affect deeper tissue near the replaced hip.

Tip: Antibiotics are effective against most infections; however, an infection near your prosthesis may require surgery to remove or replace the prosthesis. A series of precautionary post-surgery steps are in place to minimize the risk of infection to the freshly operated area.

Fracture
There is always a slight risk of joint fracture when the operating surgeon is inexperienced when opting for surgery. Usually, the fractures that occur during hip replacement surgery are minor and heal on their own; however, in more significant bone fractures, your doctor may need to use wires, screws, studs, or metal and bone grafts to stabilize the broken bone.

Tip: Choosing experienced doctors with a proven track record of successful hip replacement surgery is crucial to minimizing the risk of fractures during surgery. Rathi hospital has the best hip replacement surgeons in Satellite performing thousands of successful hip replacement surgeries all year round.

Dislocation
The ball of your freshly replaced new joint has the possibility of getting dislocated from the socket, especially during the first couple of months following your hip replacement surgery.

Tip: To prevent joint dislocation, doctors usually fit patients with a brace to keep the operated hip in place.

Loosening
One of the rare complications that usually happens years later due to wear and tear near the prosthetic joint is loosening the artificial joint. The loose joint can lead to pain, hampering your range of motion and functionality, leading to a second hip replacement surgery.

Tip: Be mindful of the physical activities and refrain from high-intensity activities that tend to put pressure on your hip joints, causing them to loosen from their socket.

Different Leg Length
It is possible to feel a change in leg length post-hip replacement surgery. It can be caused due to contraction and expansion of muscles around the hip which can be adjusted with the help of physical therapy. As the muscles around the replaced hip stretch and gain strength, the change in leg length tends to be unnoticeable.

Tip: If the difference in leg length persists, special shoe inserts can be used to even out the difference.

Things To Keep In Mind

  • Hydration and consumption of plenty of liquids play an essential role in your post-surgery recovery.
  • Include whole-grain foods, wheat cereals, fresh fruits, protein sources, and fiber in your diet.
  • Gradually increase your physical activity refraining from immediate HIIT exercises that exert pressure on your hip.

Conclusion

While hip replacement surgery works miraculously for people living with chronic hip pain, it is vital to make informed decisions before opting for surgery nonetheless. Your medical history and family’s medical history factor into deciding if hip replacement surgery is ideal for you indeed.

Some of the complications listed in the article above are serious and need to be taken care of pre, during, and post-surgery. However, most complications, such as differences in leg length, heal with time as the replaced hip joint gets acquainted with the surrounding muscles.

Are you wondering if hip replacement surgery is ideal for you? If yes, Book a consultation with Rathi Hospital today to lead a life free from pain.