You may be considering hip replacement surgery if osteoarthritis causes severe hip pain and loss of function. The decision you and your doctor make depends on variables such as your age, health, and activity level, and the degree of pain and disability you are experiencing.
Osteoarthritis of the hip is the most common diagnosis that leads to hip replacement. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear. It affects the cartilage surfaces of the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. The cartilage wears out. Pain and stiffness result. Patients with hip arthritis have difficulty walking, climbing stairs and performing routine daily activities.
Other conditions that can cause destruction of the hip joint include:
A Total Hip Replacement (THR) - also called a Hip Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that re-forms the hip-joint.
Advantages of Total Hip Replacement Surgery
The most important advantage is that this operation produces very effective and long lasting relief from joint pain. It also gives a joint which functions normally. Patients are able to resume daily activities, and have improved quality of life.
The recovery period from the operation is very short and the patient is able to get out of bed from the second or the third day after the operation with the help of walking support. Total recovery will require weeks of special exercises, and you may need crutches or a walker during this time. Total rehabilitation after surgery will take at least 6 months.
After rehabilitation, you will probably be able to do your daily activities more easily with less pain making you feel better. It probably will be easier to climb stairs, walk without tiring, play golf, and resume other activities that you did before surgery.
The patient regains a normal lifestyle and mobility with significant improvement in quality of life.
How is the Procedure done?
The surgical procedure will take a few hours. Your surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and bone with new metal, plastic or ceramic joint surfaces to restore the alignment and function of your hip. Since various types of designs and materials are currently used in artificial hip joints, your surgeon will determine the type of prosthesis that best meets your needs.
Am I a Good a candidate for a total Hip Replacement?
Though you can usually manage osteoarthritis pain with the help of medication, exercise, physical therapy, and weight loss (if you are overweight).
If these treatments do not relieve pain, other options include joint injections, arthroscopic surgery, and osteotomy. In the most severe cases, surgery to replace the joint is an option.
Most people have Hip Replacement only when they can no longer control the pain in their hip with medication and other treatments and the pain is significantly interfering with their life.
Should I have a Total Hip Replacement?
If all other conservative measures have failed to cure and the pain is so severe that it is limiting your everyday activities such as walking or bending, you should seriously consider Hip Replacement Surgery. The goals of Hip Replacement Surgery include correcting any deformity (inequality in leg length), improving the function of hip joint, enhancing the quality of life and relieving pain.
Total Hip Replacement is an elective operation and the decision to have this operation is not made by the doctor, it is made by you.
Should your decided to go for this operation, all your queries and question can be answered before you decide to have the operation? Please feel free to write to us at Contact Us.
How long would I stay in the Hospital?
You will have to stay in the hospital for 10 to 12 days for Total Hip Replacement Procedure depending on the procedure chosen by you and your surgeon to suit your best interest.
A Single Sitting Total Hip Replacement would require a Hospital Stay of 10 Days stay where as
A Double Sitting Total Hip Replacement would require a Hospital Stay of 12 Days.
While you are recovering at the hospital; you'll feel pain in your hip and will find your leg swollen and bruised and the muscles stiff and sore. Pain medication will be given to make you as comfortable as possible.
Your physiotherapist will visit you a day after the surgery to teach you specific exercises to strengthen your hip and restore movement for walking. You’ll be given a frame to assist you in walking. Gradually you'll be walking with crutches or a stick after few days.
Initially, you may feel unstable and experience some discomfort but over a period of 4-6 weeks, you will be able to walk without support, as per your surgeon's instructions. Once you, your surgeon and the physiotherapist are satisfied with your condition and mobility you'll be discharged from the hospital.
The scar on the side of your hip will fade to a thin white line, over a period of time.
What measures should be taken after the surgery/operation (Post operative instructions)
The success of your surgery will depend largely on how well you follow your surgeon’s and physiotherapist’s instructions regarding home care during the first few weeks after surgery which would be explained to you at the time of discharge from the hospital
Taking regular medications and practicing the prescribed exercises will help you recover quickly. You should be able to resume most normal light activities of daily living within a few months of the surgery. There will be continual improvement for the first 12 months. Once the surgical wound has fully healed, many people forget they have an artificial joint
Results of the Total Hip Replacement Surgery
After returning home, you will need some help for several weeks with shopping and tasks at home.
Most artificial hip joints will last for 10 to 20 years or longer without loosening, depending on how much stress you put on the joint, how much you weigh, and how well your new joint and bones mend.
During the first few weeks after surgery. You should be able to resume most normal activities of daily living within three to six weeks following surgery. Some Pain with activity and at night is common for several weeks after surgery.
What activities should I Avoid after Hip Replacement?
Your Orthopaedic Surgeon would brief you on all activities to be undertaken and avoided for the fast recovery.
Duration of Treatment