Total Hip Replacement Surgery
On of the most common practices that orthopedic surgeons perform is total hip replacement surgery. Gradually over time, hip replacement surgery has become much secure and predictable treatment for arthritic pain sufferers. Total hip replacement surgery is a medical procedure where a hip joint will be substituted with a manufactured hip, usually made out of metal and ceramic. This treatment has been done countless times over history and has been deemed a safe procedure by the FDA and other agencies.
During the procedure of hip replacement surgery, the femoral head is removed. The femoral head is the top part of the thigh bone which is rounded so the leg can maneuver. This is replaced with an almost complete metal (usually aluminium) ball. It is then attached to a metal stem, which fits onto the remaining thighbone. A doctor will then drill into the socket of the hip and clean out an area to install a metal cup. This metal cup is then cemented into the hip, providing a smooth area for the ball to be inserted and allowing a wide range of motion. This combination will imitate the natural movement that a patient once had.
The goals of total hip replacement (arthroplasty) are to provide relief of pain and discomfort, improve function and enhance stability in patients suffering from arthritis or any disabling orthopedic hip problem. This goal was originally met in the late 1960′s and has been improved over the past several decades.
In India Total hip replacement is a common surgical procedure with a high success rate. In an arthritic hip, the damaged ball (the upper end of the femur) is replaced by a metal or ceramic ball attached to a metal stem fitted into the femur (with or without cement), and a plastic or ceramic socket (fitted into a metal socket) that is implanted into the pelvis, replacing the damaged socket. Using a combination of metal and plastic, the joint implant surgeon creates a new ball and socket joint, which will glide smoothly and painlessly. During the past two decades, multiple advances in hip arthroplasty have been accomplished and many types of prosthesis are available and currently used. The metals used are chrome cobalt alloy and/or titanium alloy. These are super metals initially developed for the aerospace industry and now adapted for the orthopedic industry. The plastic is a high-density plastic polymer called polyethylene. In younger patients a ceramic ball is used with a polyethylene or ceramic socket.
Methods of total hip replacement surgery:
Modern Total Hip replacement surgery is divided in two different methods. With elderly people it is often more reasonable to put in and fix the total hip in a softer bone by using bone cement. The advantage of this method is that the prosthesis holds from the very first day and will not loosen itself in the relatively soft bone of an elderly person. This represents a very stable and reasonable construction. Today, a stainless steel prosthesis is inserted into the bone of the upper leg by using a little amount of bone cement and is immediately stable.
The inverse of the hip bone will be shaped and a piece of synthetic material will be fixed with bone cement. The connection is immediately stable. This method has been approved worldwide for over 40 years and is still recommended. The life expectancy of a prosthesis of this kind is a minimum of 10 years, normally 15 years and very often 20 years.
After your total hip replacement surgery using the anterior approach, expect to stay in the hospital for at least 2 to 3 days. You will likely be in moderate pain for about a couple of weeks when walking after the surgery but you will receive medication if you need it. You can shower with your stitches because they have a protective film on it. They will eventually get absorbed into the skin tissue. Using a v-shaped pillow while you’re lying down will help keep the new hip aligned and reduce strain. Walking and light mobility are very important to your continued recovery and will begin either the day of or the day after your surgery. With the anterior approach you won’t need to do any physical therapy. You won’t have any restrictions on movements either.
Complications and Warning Signs
Serious complications following hip replacement surgery are very low. About 2 percent of patients suffer from complications such as joint infections, heart attack or stroke caused by blood clots after major surgery. Any chronic illness would, of course, increase the potential for more complications and increase recovery time. Mobility and physical therapy help decrease the chances of blood clots and other clotting disorders that may lead to heart attack, stroke or painful blood clots.
Other rare complications may include dislocation, bleeding, stiffness, fracture or damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Lingering pain that is not eased by pain medications should be reported to your doctor. Over time the artificial joints, just like real joints, will show signs of wear and tear. Breakthroughs in prosthetic over the last few years have reduced the possibility of artificial joints wearing out, but it’s still a very small possibility.
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