Most people who elect to have hip replacement surgery do so because they have severe osteoarthritis in the hip joint. This condition results in extreme pain when the individual attempts to do such things as climb a set of stairs or rise from a seated position. Hip replacement surgery is also necessary for those who have had hip injuries or other medical conditions that have precipitated the deterioration of the hip joint. Most hip replacement surgeries are done on people over 60 years old, but they are not uncommon for younger patients.
Preparation
Individuals who opt for hip replacement surgery will meet with their surgeon well before the operation. Medical history will be discussed, as will any types of medications the person may be taking. X-rays of the hip will be ordered, and a special set will be needed so the surgeon will be able to have precise measurements. This will allow her to perform the operation and keep the leg on that side the same length as it was before the surgery. A meeting with the anesthesiologist will take place to discuss that aspect of the surgery, and in many cases the person will have some of his blood drawn and stored away weeks in advance to be used during the surgery, if necessary.
Features
The actual artificial hip joint is made of different materials. The surgeon will look at a particular situation and decide which one is the best for the patient, with factors such as the person's age, activity level and overall health going into the decision. Titanium and stainless steel are commonly used in hip implants. These prostheses also often are made up of plastic that is both long-lasting and resistant to wear. The hip replacement is designed to not corrode and is manufactured from materials that will not react adversely with the human body. The artificial joint has a ball-and-socket type device on one end that fits into the hip joint and a long "stem" on the other that goes into the top of the femur.
Operation
It takes an average of 2 to 3 hours to complete a hip replacement surgery. The patient will be under anesthesia the entire time and feel nothing. The surgeon will make an incision in the side of the leg to expose the hip joint. Diseased or damaged bone tissue is removed, and the surgeon will use a special tool to cut the end of the femur so that the stem portion of the artificial hip will fit into it exactly. The part of the pelvis where the hip attaches is then readied so that the ball-and-socket part of the prosthesis fits into it precisely. In some cases, acrylic cement is necessary to bond the prosthesis to the bone; it sets in about 15 minutes and is incredibly strong. Other patients may have an implant that is designed to allow the actual bone tissue to grow into it gradually, making the need for cementing unnecessary. Once the hip replacement is properly in place, the incision will be closed and a drain put in--with a large bandage applied over the area.
Warning
There are risks with any surgery, and a hip replacement is no exception. Blood clots in the legs can develop, because the patient will be inactive following the operation. This means blood thinners will be used and compression devices placed on the legs that help keep the blood flow normal while the person recuperates. Infection is always a possibility, and antibiotics will be needed if this is the case. Dislocation of the new hip replacement must be avoided, since something as common as crossing one's legs or bending more than 90 degrees can result in this. Complete instructions will be issued to ensure this does not occur. In some cases, one leg will wind up a bit shorter or longer than the other despite the precautions taken and measurements utilized. This can happen when the surrounding muscles in the hip become weakened, but it can be fixed by strengthening exercises in many instances.
Expert Insight
When the patient wakes up, he will find that in most instances he has had a catheter put in to allow him to urinate without difficulty. This will be removed within a couple of days. He will have access to a pain reliever that is automatically pumped into the body through an intravenous tube whenever he feels the need for it. People who have had a hip replacement surgery will be encouraged to get out of bed the next day and walk on it. This is by far the most painful aspect of this entire procedure and should be done slowly, with the help of hospital personnel. Crutches, a walker or a cane will be needed to get around in the days following the operation, and most people are out of the hospital and back home within a week of the surgery. Physical therapists will talk to the patient and show him exercises that will strengthen the muscles and quicken the recovery.
Tags: surgeon will, replacement surgery, will needed, artificial joint, bone tissue