Hip joints consist of a ball and socket. This kind of joint enables a wide range of motion in every direction. The femoral head, or the ball of the hip joint, is a structure that sits atop the thigh bone (the femur). This rotates inside the acetabulum, a hollow socket in the pelvis.
During hip replacement surgery, the ball and socket of the hip joint, which is typically the problem area, are removed and replaced. Osteoarthritis is the most frequent factor leading to hip replacement surgery.
Other reasons include rheumatoid arthritis, hip dysplasia, or hip fracture. Continue reading to know what you can expect from hip replacement surgery:
Why Hip Replacement Surgery is Required?
Conditions that can cause damage to the hip joint necessitating hip replacement surgery include:
- Osteoarthritis – It is a condition that might harm the hip joint, necessitating hip replacement surgery occasionally. Osteoarthritis robs joints of their supple cartilage, which protects the ends of bones and keeps them from grinding against one another.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – Inflammation brought on by rheumatoid arthritis can destroy joint cartilage and occasionally the underlying bone, resulting in broken and misshapen joints.
- Osteonecrosis – The bone may collapse and distort if there is insufficient blood flow to the hip joint’s ball. It could happen as a result of a fracture or dislocation.
Who Needs Hip Replacement Surgery?
Before recommending a hip replacement to a patient suffering from hip arthritis, the doctor will advise the patient to explore other choices. There are several options, including steroid injections into the hip joint occasionally, painkillers, maintaining a healthy weight, exercise, and physiotherapy.
Suppose your everyday activities are being significantly impacted by pain and stiffness. If you are no longer able to control your symptoms, it may be worthwhile to consider surgery.
There are no age restrictions for hip replacement surgery. But, the younger you are when you undergo surgery, the more probable it is that you will require another surgery in the future.
How to Prepare for Hip Replacement?
You will meet with the orthopedic surgeon for a consultation before the procedure. The surgeon might:
- Inquire about your health background and current medications.
- Check your hip for mobility by observing the strength of the muscles around the joint and the hip’s range of motion.
- Request a blood test and an X-ray. Rarely an MRI test is also required.
Ask any questions you may have regarding the process during your consultation. Find out which drugs you should continue to take or not in the week leading up to surgery.
The best course of action is to stop tobacco products because they can interfere with healing. Consult your doctor if you need support to quit.
During hip replacement surgery
You will be given an anesthetic during hip replacement. Your health, previous anesthetic exposure, the kind of hip replacement you are getting, and other factors could lead to treatment:
- Regional anesthesia disables your body’s nerves in a specific region. You might be given a mild sedative to help you unwind since most people who undergo regional anesthetic are awake.
- In general anesthesia, a hip incision will be made by your surgeon, which affects the brain and nerve system and sedates your entire body.
- Your hip size and the preferences of your surgeon, among other things, will influence the size of the incision.
- Your surgeon will remove the hip joint’s damaged bone tissue and cartilage.
- New, synthetic components will be inserted into the socket’s surface (acetabulum) and the ball (head of the femur).
- After the operation, you will be sent to the recovery area.
Recovery After Hip Replacement Surgery
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In the hospital
You will be brought to the recovery area for monitoring after the procedure. You will be transported to your hospital room once your respiration, pulse, and blood pressure are stabilized, and you are awake.
A few days in the hospital are typically needed after hip replacement surgery. The extent or complexity of your operation, your post-operative recovery, and your discharge all affect how long you must stay.
It’s crucial to start using the replacement joint immediately after surgery. Soon after your surgery, you will meet with a physical therapist to develop an exercise regimen for you. Medication will be used to manage your pain so you may engage in the workout.
In the hospital and following discharge, you will be given an exercise schedule to follow. You will be sent either home or to a rehab facility. In either scenario, your surgeon will arrange for physical therapy to continue until you regain muscular strength.
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At home
The surgery area needs to be kept dry and clean once you get home. Specific bathing instructions will be provided by your surgeon. A nurse will remove the sutures or surgical staples in your house or at your rehabilitation center.
As directed by your surgeon, use pain medication for soreness. The likelihood of bleeding may be increased by aspirin or other specific painkillers. Take just the prescription drugs.
Any of the following issues should be immediately reported to your surgeon:
- Fever
- Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other discharge from the incision site
- Increasing discomfort at the incision site.
- Numbness and/or tingling in the affected leg.
If your doctor doesn’t advise you differently, you can go back to your regular diet.
Medical Tourism for Hip Replacement
If you are in need of hip replacement surgery but unable to afford it at home, then medical tourism can be the best choice for you. A medical trip to countries like India and Turkey can be the most economical solution.
The hip replacement surgery cost is comparatively lower in India and Turkey than in most developed countries. These countries have the most cutting-edge, state-of-the-art joint replacement operating equipment and procedures.
Bottom Line
Each person recovers from a hip replacement surgery differently, but three months after the operation, the majority of patients normally do well. The new hip joint might make the hip more mobile and less painful. However, don’t anticipate doing everything you like.
Running or playing heavy games are high-impact activities that might be too demanding on an artificial joint. So first, engage with low-impact hobbies.
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