Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a doctor surgically removes an inflamed and painful hip joint and replaces it with an artificial joint, often made of metal and plastic components. This surgery is usually performed when all other treatment options have failed to provide adequate pain relief. This procedure should facilitate walking by removing the painful joint.

What process occurs during hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery can be performed normally or using a procedure that is considered a minimally invasive surgery. The main difference between the two procedures is the size of the incision.

During hip replacement surgery, you will be given general anesthesia to relax the muscles and induce a temporary deep sleep....this means you will not feel or be aware of any pain during the surgery....spinal anesthesia may be prescribed as another option to help prevent pain.

The doctor makes an incision next to the hip joint and pulls back the muscles attached to the top of the femur to expose the hip joint... Then, the ball of the joint is removed by cutting the femur with a saw.

The doctor then - by removing the damaged cartilage - prepares the surface of the hip bone and attaches the replacement hip to the hip bone.. The new ball of the femur is then placed in the hip.. A drain may be inserted to help drain the fluid.. The doctor then reattaches the muscles and closes the incision.

Although today, most joint replacement surgeries are performed with the standard method (an 8 to 10 inch incision in the side of the thigh), in recent years, some doctors use a minimally invasive method. In the minimally invasive method, doctors make one to two 2 to 5 inch incisions.. These small incisions are thought to reduce bleeding, relieve pain after surgery, shorten hospital stays, reduce wound size, and speed recovery.

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However, it is important that the surgeon is highly skilled in this procedure. Research has shown that the results of a less invasive procedure can be worse than hip replacement surgery if performed by a doctor with little experience in this procedure.

Because hip replacement surgery may involve some bleeding, you may need a blood transfusion. Therefore, blood may need to be donated before the procedure.

What happens after hip replacement surgery?

You will likely stay in the hospital for four to six days and may have to rest with a wedge pillow between your legs to hold the new hip joint in place....a drainage tube will likely be placed in your bladder to help you go to the bathroom....Physical therapy usually starts the day after surgery and within days you can be walking with crutches, crutches or a walker for a week....continue for months afterward surgery.

What activities should be avoided after hip replacement surgery?

For 6 to 12 months after hip replacement surgery, the affected leg should not rotate anywhere..Also, the affected leg should not move beyond the midline of the body or rotate inward, and should not bend more than 90 degrees at the hip joint..This includes bending forward from the waist and squatting.

The physical therapist will provide you with the proper equipment and tools to help you follow the above instructions and precautions as you go about your daily activities.

Even after the hip joint is healed, you should avoid doing some sports or heavy activities.... The replacement joint is designed for normal daily activities.

What can be done at home after hip replacement surgery?

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

• Minimize climbing stairs... Make arrangements to go up and down stairs only once or twice a day.
• Sit in a sturdy chair with a straight back....no bolsters...use a tall toilet....this will help you not bend too much at the hip.
• Until you recover..before returning to activities such as driving, sexual activity and Sports.

Is hip replacement surgery a safe procedure?

Hip replacement surgery has been done for years and surgical techniques are always improving....however, as with any surgery, there are risks....since you can't move much at first, blood clots are the main concern....the doctor will prescribe blood thinners to prevent blood clots....infection and bleeding are also possible, as well as risks associated with the use of general anesthesia.

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Other less common concerns that you and your doctor should be aware of include:

• Your legs may not be the same size after surgery.
• You must be careful not to cross your legs or sit too low, as this may dislocate the joint.
• Fragments of bone marrow fat may break off and enter the bloodstream and enter the lungs, which can cause very serious respiratory damage in the pelvic area... or pressure and cause numbness.
• Replacement parts may be loose, broken or infected.

Discuss these risks with your surgeon before performing this procedure.

How long does the new joint last after hip replacement surgery?

When hip replacement surgeries were first performed in the early 1970s, it was thought that the prosthesis would last approximately 10 years....Now we know that about 85% of hip implants last up to 20 years....Advances in surgical technique and prosthetic materials should extend the life of this implant.... If the joint is damaged, surgery to repair it can be more successful than the initial surgery

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