ONP Hospitals

Hip Joint Replacement

The hip joint is made up of a ball and socket joint. When you have an artificial hip joint, it connects your leg to your hip joint via the use of a femoral head (the top of your thigh bone).

During hip replacement surgery, the damaged ball and socket are replaced with new and long-lasting synthetic artificial elements that are designed to look and function like the original ball and socket.

The hip socket or thighbone may be injured or get infected. As a result, you may have pain, trouble walking, or difficulty carrying out your usual activities. Medication, physical therapy, support, and braces are all viable pain-relieving strategies that you may have used in the past, and you may have had success with them. If the pain continues, your doctor may recommend that you undergo hip replacement surgery.

Everything You Need To Know About Hip Joint Replacement

When it is Required

Several conditions may lead to deterioration to the hip joint and need hip replacement surgery:

Osteoarthritis: Often referred to as “wear-and-tear arthritis,” osteoarthritis affects the gliding cartilage that lines the ends of bones and allows them to move freely.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis, which is brought on by an overactive immune system, causes an inflammation that damages cartilage and, in some cases, the underlying bone, resulting in misshapen and damaged joints as a consequence.

Osteonecrosis: The bone collapse and deformity may occur if the ball component of the hip joint does not get adequate blood supply as a consequence of a dislocation or fracture.

A hip replacement may be an option if you suffer from hip discomfort that:

  • Despite taking pain medication, the problem persists. If you walk at all, the pain worsens.
  • Disrupts your sleep cycle
  • Makes it challenging to get ready in the morning
  • Affects your ability to climb and descend stairs
  • It’s tough to get up after sitting for a long time.
Conditions That Need It

Rheumatoid arthritis (hip arthritis) is a common source of hip discomfort. At first glance, signs of hip arthritis may seem to be non-existent. Many people would assume hip arthritis to cause pain on the sides of the hip, but in actuality, many individuals who have hip arthritis have discomfort in their groin instead of their hip. If you have discomfort in the groin region, it may be necessary to consult with a physician or have an x-ray taken. Aside from leg length disparity, which occurs when one leg begins to develop shorter than the other, there are other symptoms of concern, such as a propensity to walk with your feet pointing outwards.

Procedure

There are four parts to a hip replacement:

  • A metal socket
  • A lining to make it easier for the ball to move around in its socket
  • A ceramic or metal ball used to replace the femoral head in hip replacement surgery
  • A metal rod that runs through the middle of the thigh and holds the ball in place

It is possible to modify joint prostheses in a variety of ways. Over time, the bone may grow into an uncemented joint prosthesis, which is what the majority of surgeons choose to use.

When installing a cemented hip prosthesis, bone cement is utilized to ensure that the prosthesis adheres to the hip as rapidly as possible. Even though the success rates of both techniques are similar, there are differences in the healing process between them.

A longer overall healing period is required because uncemented joints need more time to heal than cement-bonded ones. While cement-based variations are speedier, they are better suited to older or less active persons because of their lower energy requirements.

One option to consider is a hip replacement that is less taxing on the muscles. Because there are no incisions in the muscles, this procedure is less painful and requires less recovery time than traditional hip surgery.

Approaches to muscle sparing surgery that is performed from the front or posterior are equally common. The location of the incision affects whether the incision is anterior or posterior. Incisions are made in the upper thigh for anterior incisions, while incisions are made in the hip for posterior ones.

Conclusion

The success rate of hip replacement surgery is typically high. Hip replacement surgery is considered by the AAOS to be one of the most successful surgeries in medicine. In most cases, persons who have the surgery report considerable reductions in hip discomfort and an improved capacity to go about their daily routines without assistance or assistance.

New joint dislocation is the most prevalent side effect. If a person does not give themselves enough time to completely recuperate before going about their daily routine, they are more likely to have this problem. It may also happen if you don’t take care of your hip following surgery as instructed. Hip dislocation is far less common with modern prostheses. Complications like infections and blood clots are possible, but there are steps you may do to minimize your risk.