Hip Joint Replacement

 Hip Joint Replacement

Hip joint replacement is one of the most successful and safest procedures in orthopaedic surgery performed today.  It is mainly done for people 60 or older and is rarely suggested for younger people because of the stress they can put on the replacement hip, causing it to fail sooner than anticipated. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the main causes for a deteriorating hip joint, but other causes include bone tumors, injury and lack of blood supply causing loss of bone.

Hip Joint Replacement Parts

The hip joint is called a ball-and-socket joint since the spherical head from the thighbone moves inside the cup-shaped concave socket of the pelvis. To imitate this action, a total hip replacement implant has three parts: the stem, which inserts into the femur; the ball, which takes the place of the sphere-shaped head of the femur; and then the cup, which takes the place of the damaged hip socket.

The Surgery

With a total hip replacement surgeons operate from the side or the back of the hip. This extensively disturbs the joint and connecting tissues and necessitates an incision approximately 8-12 inches long. In contrast, the direct anterior hip joint replacement approach needs an incision that is only 3-4 inches in length at the front of the hip. Using this approach, the surgeon does not need to detach any of the muscles or tendons. Talk to your surgeon regarding which one is best for you.

Originally elephant ivories were used to make the artificial joint but now it is made from ceramic, metal or plastic. The operation in general is at least an hour; however the hospital stay depends upon the person's overall health but normally is between 3 to 5 days.

Risks

• Potential  blood clots in the leg
• Trouble with urination,
• Skin or joint infection,
• Bone fracture,
• Scarring and restricted hip movement,
• Loosening of the hip joint

After Surgery

To protect your hip after surgery, it is important that you do not sit past a 90-degree angle. To help with sitting, you will need a raised chair (use pillows or raised lifts for the legs of the chair) and a raised toilet (or a raised toilet seat attachment). This allows your hip to be at the same height or a little higher than your knee while sitting. An occupational therapist will show you how to dress, get in and out of bed and how to use a walker or crutches properly without hurting or dislocating your hip. At home you must continue your exercises to strengthen your leg and hip muscles.