Total Hip Replacement

What You Need to Know About Knee Replacement

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a Hip joint with arthritis is removed surgically and replaces it with an artificial joint. It is usually done when all other treatment options have failed to provide adequate relief from pain. This procedure relieve a painful hip joint and makes walking easier.

What Happens During Hip Replacement Surgery?

Hip replacement surgery can be performed traditionally or by using minimally-invasive technique. The main difference between both the procedures is the size of the incision.

In this procedure, you are given general anesthesia to put you into a temporary deep sleep. This will prevent you from feeling any pain during the surgery.

The doctor will then make a cut on the side of the hip and move the muscles connected to the top of the thighbone to expose the hip joint. Then, the ball portion of the joint is removed by cutting the thighbone. Then an artificial joint is attached to the thighbone using a special material that allows the remaining bone to attach to the new joint.

The doctor then prepares the surface of the hipbone -- removing any damaged cartilage -- and attaches the replacement socket part to the hipbone. The new ball part of the thighbone is then inserted into the socket part of the hip. The doctor then reattaches the muscles and closes the incision.

Hip replacement surgeries today are performed using the standard technique 8 to 10 inch cut along the side of the hip, in recent years, some doctors have been using a minimally-invasive technique. In the minimally-invasive surgery, doctors make cut from 2 to 5 inches long. The same procedure is performed through these small cuts as with standard hip replacement surgery.

The small cuts are thought to reduce blood loss, relieves pain after surgery, shorten hospital stays, reduce scar appearance, and speedy recovery.

What Activities Should I Avoid After Hip Replacement Surgery?

From 6 to 12 months after hip replacement surgery, pivoting or twisting on the involved leg should be avoided. You should not cross the operated leg across the midline of the body and do not turn the operated leg inward and you should not bend at the hip past 90 degrees. This includes both bending forward at the waist and squatting.

Your physiotherapist will guide you all the techniques and helping equipment that will help you follow all of the above guidelines and precautions while performing daily activities. Remember, by not following your physiotherapist's recommendations your newly replaced hip joint may dislocate and may undergo another surgery.

What Can I Do at Home After Hip Replacement Surgery?

There are a few simple steps that you can take to make life easier when you return home after hip replacement surgery, including:

Keep stair climbing to a minimum.

Sit in a firm, straight-back chair.

Recliners should be avoided.

You should avoid sudden falls.

Use an elevated toilet seat.

How Long Will My New Joint Last After Hip Replacement Surgery?

When hip replacement surgeries were first performed in the early 1970s, it was assumed that the average artificial joint would last approximately 10 years. Now we know that about 85% of the hip joint implants will last 20 years. Improvements in surgical technique and artificial joint materials should make these implants last even longer.