Total Hip Replacement
If your hip has been damaged by arthritis, a fracture or other conditions, then common activities such as walking, sitting and getting in and out of a chair may be more painful and difficult. Your hip may be stiff, and it may be hard to do work when you bent down and may even feel uncomfortable while resting.
If your medications does not support appropriately in your everyday activities such as walking or sitting, you may consider to hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement surgery is an effective procedure that can relieve chronic pain, increase motion, and help you get back to enjoying normal everyday activities.
Common causes of hip pain
- Osteoarthritis – This is also known as degenerative arthritis of hip, which is the most common condition of hip pain that affects mostly people due to their older age and any other injury. A firm, rubbery material called cartilage that covers the end of each bone and acts as a cushion between the bones. But in Osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down and causes chronic pain, stiffness, swelling and problems in moving joint. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint such as knee, neck, lower back and shoulder.
- Rheumatoid arthritis –hip rheumatoid arthritis can cause symptoms such as chronic pain, stiffness and swelling. It is an autoimmune disease in which patients immune system attack own body. Its symptoms can come gradually or suddenly.
- Post-traumatic arthritis – This is the most common is wearing out of hip surface cartilage. Post- traumatic arthritis is caused because of osteoarthritis that has any physical injury and lead to hip pain, and stiffnessover time.
- Avascular necrosis –Avascular necrosis is also called osteonecrosis. It is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Avascular necrosis can lead to tiny breaks in the hip bone and make the surface of the bone eventual collapse. Avascular necrosis can affect anyone, but it is the most common in people between the ages of 30 and 60.
- Childhood hip disease – Somenewborn babies and children have hip problems. This begins in childhood in several common hip disorders-slipped capital femoral epiphyses, perthes disease and due to other causes and affect the hip joint.
Should I go for hip replacement?
- You should go for Hip replacement surgery when you have:-
- Chronic pain that limits everyday activities, such as walking or bending.
- Hip pain that continues while resting, either day or night.
- Stiffness in a hip, limits the ability to move or lift the leg.
- When other treatments are not helped you from hip pain.
At what age should I get Hip Replacement?
- There are no definite age or weight restrictions for hip replacement surgery.
- A recommendation for hip replacement surgery is based on a patient’s pain and disability.
- Most patients who experience total knee replacement at age 50 to 80, but orthopedic surgeons evaluate patients individually.
- Total hip replacements have been performed successfully at all ages, from young teenager with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to the elderly patient with degenerative arthritis of hip.
How to prepare for surgery?
- Medical evaluation – If you decide to have hip replacement surgery, your orthopedic surgeon may ask you to schedule a complete physical examination several weeks before the operation. This is necessary, to make sure that you are healthy enough to have the surgery and to complete the recovery process.Before the surgery, many patients with chronic medical conditions, like heart disease, may also be evaluated by a specialist, such as a cardiologist.
- Tests – Several tests, such as blood& urine samples, and an electrocardiogram, X-ray may be required to help your orthopedic surgeon to plan your surgery.
- Blood Donations – You may be advised to donate your blood prior to surgery. It will be stored in the event when you need blood after surgery.
- Medications – If you are taking any medications then you must tell your orthopedic surgeon about this. They will tell you about medications that which medication you should stop and which you should continue.
- Weight Loss – To minimize the stress on your new hip and to decrease the risks of surgery, your doctor may ask you to lose some weight before surgery.
- Preparing Your Skin – If you have skin infection or irritation then you should tell your orthopedic surgeon for treatment & to improve your skin before surgery.
Guidelines for Hip Replacement Success: Dos and Don’ts
- Don’t cross your legs at the hips for at least 6 to 8 weeks.
- Don’t bring your hip up higher than your hip.
- Don’t lean forward while sitting or as you sit down.
- Don’t try to pick up something on the floor while you are sitting.
- Don’t turn your feet excessively inward or outward when you bend down.
- Don’t reach down to pull up blankets when lying in bed.
- Don’t bend at the waist beyond 90 degrees.
- Do keep the leg facing forward.
- Do keep the affected leg in front as you sit or stand.
- Do use a high kitchen or barstool in the kitchen.
- Do kneel on the knee on the operated leg (the bad side).
- Do use ice to reduce pain and swelling, but remember that ice will diminish sensation. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin; use an ice pack or wrap it in a damp towel.
- Do apply heat before exercising to assist with range of motion. Use a heating pad or hot, damp towel for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Do cut back on your exercises if your muscles begin to ache, but don’t stop doing them!