Have you been dealing with hip pain for months or years? This article elaborates on Hip Replacement Surgery. This surgery is the permanent solution for chronic and intense hip pain that impairs mobility severely. Let’s discuss surgical procedure, risks involved and recovery timeline primarily.
What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is an invasive medical procedure. In this surgery, damaged parts of the hip are removed. Then, removed parts are resurfaced with the help of artificial parts or an implant.
Parts of the hip replacement implant are made of metal and plastic. An implant is completely safe and does not cause any health issues at all. After surgery, the implant mimics the functions of the original hip joint.
Why Do We Need This Surgery?
Hip pain might last for a long time, restricting motion too much. When such lasting pain cannot be treated with physiotherapy and medications, surgery becomes the last solution.
Hip replacement surgery helps get rid of old hip pain permanently. Some of the major causes of debilitating hip pain are as follows.
Osteoarthritis: Each hip joint has a soft-tissue covering that allows smooth movement. When this soft tissue, medically called cartilage or hyaline articular cartilage, gets eroded or damaged, the bones in the hip rub against each other. This condition causes immobility and intense pain.
Osteoarthritis is an age-related disorder. It dominantly occurs due to overuse and old injury. However, other conditions like obesity or deformities are also responsible.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is an autoimmune disorder. The cause of this arthritis is unknown, yet its genesis is typically considered genetic. In this condition, the immune system starts attacking healthy parts of the joints.
This attack initiates inflammation. Gradually, this chronic inflammation leads to the deterioration of the hip joint.
Ignoring RA and not caring about joint inflammation in the early stages finally make hip replacement surgery inevitable for permanent pain relief.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: An injury to the hip can also lead to chronic hip pain with mobility issues. If treatment isn’t provided on time, the situation will worsen and surgery will become the last treatment option.
Deformities: Perthes disease, femoroacetabular impingement, hip dysplasia and slipped capital femoral epiphysis—all such deformities lead to early hip dysfunctionality. And surgery becomes the last resort to restore mobility and eliminate pain forever.
Avascular Necrosis: The absence of blood supply leads to bone death. This is called osteonecrosis. This condition can also happen to the hip. When the blood supply is curtained to the hip joint, bone tissue sustains tiny fractures and ultimately collapses.
It eventually makes the hip dysfunctional and requires arthroplasty to restore mobility and eliminate chronic inflammation.
To connect with the best surgeon, refer to the following link: best doctor for hip replacement in India.
Risks Involved in Hip Replacement Surgery
There aren’t any specific risks particularly involved in hip arthroplasty. Most of the complications often arise due to the poor health conditions of the patient itself. However, for such complications as well, a surgeon will inform the patient well in advance or ensure everything for their prevention.
Right within 24 hours after the surgery, the patient is encouraged to stand and walk, typically with a walking aid. It helps prevent blood clots. Furthermore, antibiotics are also prescribed to prevent infection.
So, first, there aren’t so many risks involved. And second, minor complications, if any, can be managed or prevented effectively.
Recovery Timeline
Typically, patients require at least 2-3 months to recover fully and resume all their normal life activities as before after the surgery. Yet, the recovery time differs a lot from one person to another. Some might recover earlier than this average or some even take longer.
More than one factor affects the recovery timeline such as comorbidity, bone conditions, muscle strength, etc. Only a surgeon handling your case will be able to inform you of the exact recovery timeline.
However, in general, keep in mind that it will take from 2 to 3 months for a complete and hassle-free recovery.
Types of Hip Replacement Surgeries
There are two types of hip replacement surgeries.
- Total Hip Replacement (or THR)
- Partial Hip Replacement (or PHR)
Total hip replacement surgery is only performed when the hip socket and ball, both, have become completely damaged. So, a surgeon removes both the damaged components and then resurfaces them with artificial parts or an implant.
There are two subdivisions under THR. Total hip replacement can be either unilateral or bilateral. In unilateral, only one hip is operated while in bilateral, both hip joints are resurfaced.
Under partial hip replacement surgery, only the ball of the hip joint (femoral head) is replaced with the help of an artificial part.
Is Hip Replacement Surgery Successful in India?
Yes. Hip replacement surgery is successful in India. Today’s orthopedics isn’t as invasive as decades ago. Advanced techniques and fast procedures have reduced complications considerably.
Post-surgery blood clotting and infection possibilities are easily preventable with physiotherapy and medications like antibiotics.
Connect with an orthopedic surgeon. They will ensure the most successful outcomes post-surgery.
Preparations Before Hip Replacement Surgeries
Before surgery, remember the following points in general. It will help prevent postoperative complications and also make you recover fast.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Quit smoking or cut back on the frequency.
- Ensure enough essential nutrients like calcium, protein, etc., through a balanced diet.
- Take adequate sunlight for vitamin D sufficiency.
- Exercise your joints and muscles regularly within safe limits.
- Take adequate sleep.
- Don’t strain yourself before surgery.
- Ensure proper hydration.
Before the surgery, your surgeon will inform you of all the things you need to do or avoid in detail. Listen to your surgeon and follow their instructions seriously.
Conclusion
Hip replacement surgery is a successful medical intervention. It relieves chronic, excruciating and debilitating hip pain and helps regain mobility. It doesn’t have any major complications. And, minor ones like blood clotting or infection are easily preventable with physiotherapy and medications, i.e., antibiotics.
To book your appointment with an orthopedist/joint specialist, visit the following link: best orthopedic doctors in India.
