When is a Hip Replacement Needed and How is it Done?

There is no doubt that a bad hip can be extremely uncomfortable, but it can also interfere significantly with your quality of life as well. Over time, the hip can wear down, making it more susceptible to impact. One option you may have considered is having the hip replaced.

It is always a good idea to be aware of hip replacement indications and procedures in order to avoid last-minute anxiety and be prepared. The most common hip replacement indications and procedures are discussed in this article. Hip replacements are a common treatment option, especially for older patients. But what are the indications for Hip Replacement Surgery?

When is Hip Replacement Surgery Required?

Hip replacement surgery is only recommended for patients with advanced arthritis or degenerative changes in the hip joint. You should only consider hip replacement indications and procedures if all other options have failed.

If you have these arthritis symptoms, you should consider hip replacement.

•   severe hip pain that is not relieved by medication and that interferes with your work, sleep, or daily activities
•   Hip stiffness restricts motion and makes walking difficult.

 

Indications for Hip Replacement Surgery

Let us go through the hip replacement indications and procedures. The leading cause of hip replacement surgery is osteoarthritis. Other reasons for hip replacements include rheumatoid arthritis and cartilage loss. Patients seek hip replacement surgery when their pain becomes unbearable due to one or more of the conditions listed above.

People who are eligible for this surgery have moderate to severe hip arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis, which causes pain and/or interferes with daily activities. Let’s look at some examples of hip replacement indications and procedures.

• Walking, climbing stairs, and bending to get into and out of chairs gets difficult.
• Pain is moderate to severe even when resting, and it may interfere with sleep.
• Joint degeneration has caused stiffness, limiting the hip’s range of motion during normal activities. The person may have a limp.
• Non-surgical treatments, like NSAIDs, physical therapy, steroid injections, or using a cane or walker, do not effectively alleviate symptoms.

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 90% of patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. In addition to arthritis, some people have hip replacement surgery to correct problems caused by broken bones or other medical conditions, such as osteonecrosis (bone death caused by inadequate blood supply).

Hip Replacement Surgery Techniques

It is preferable to have a general understanding of hip replacement indications and procedures, as well as surgical techniques, before seeking medical assistance from the appropriate professional.

What are the different types of hip replacement surgery?

The three primary types of hip replacements are:

• total hip replacement (most common)
• partial hip replacement,
• hip resurfacing

The most common type of hip replacement surgery is known as total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty). This surgery replaces worn-out or damaged hip sections with artificial implants. The socket is replaced with a sturdy plastic cup that may or may not include a titanium metal shell. The femoral head will be removed and replaced with a ball made of ceramic or metal alloy. The new ball is attached to a metal stem that is inserted through the top of your femur.

Two additional types of hip replacement surgeries are generally appropriate for patients of specific age groups and activity levels:

• Partial hip replacement (also known as hemiarthroplasty) replaces only one side of the hip joint, the femoral head, rather than both sides as in total hip replacement. This procedure is commonly performed on older patients who have fractured their hip.
• Hip resurfacing of the femoral head and socket is commonly performed on younger, active patients.

Hip Replacement Surgical Methods

There are two surgical approaches to performing a total hip replacement:

•   the posterior approach (more common)
•   the anterior approach (sometimes called the “mini-anterior approach” or “muscle-sparing hip replacement”)

To begin the procedure, the hip replacement surgeon will make incisions in either the back (posterior) or front (anterior) of the hip. Both approaches provide pain relief and improved walking and movement within a few weeks of surgery. In some cases, the orthopaedic surgeon may choose to use robotic technology during the surgery.

Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery

Now that you’ve learned about hip replacement indications and procedures, let’s talk about how to prepare for surgery. Patients can take specific steps both before and after surgery to improve recovery time and outcomes. It is critical to follow the instructions and advice given by your orthopaedic surgeon, medical team, and rehabilitation therapist. 

Recovery Timeline for Hip Replacement

After learning about the hip replacement indications and procedure, you’re probably wondering how long the recovery time will be. Most patients will spend one or two nights in the hospital following surgery. Some patients may be able to get a same-day hip replacement and return home after an outpatient procedure. Total hip replacement surgery takes approximately one and a half hours. Most patients remain in the hospital for one or two days following the procedure.

Your rehabilitation will start within 24 hours of surgery. Most hip replacement patients begin walking with a cane, walker, or crutches within a day or two of surgery. You will gradually increase the distance and frequency of your walks. Full recovery typically takes two to eight weeks, depending on the patient’s overall health and other factors.

With a fair knowledge of hip replacement indications and procedures, you should also be aware of the recovery timeline to proceed with the surgery without fear and hesitation. If you have total hip replacement surgery:

•   Your recovery will start immediately after surgery in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), where your medical team will manage your pain and monitor your vital signs.
•   Once the anesthesiologist is satisfied with your condition, you will be transferred to an inpatient recovery room to track your progress. The patient will be discharged when medically indicated after an outpatient surgery.
•   You will most likely have a dressing and drainage tube on your hip, which should be removed the day after surgery.
•   The pain management team will evaluate your medication and take a multifaceted approach to ensure your comfort and mobility throughout the rehabilitation process.
•   Within 24 hours, you will begin your rehabilitation with a physical therapist. Your therapist will help you sit up, get in and out of bed, and practise walking and climbing stairs with a walker, cane, or crutches.
•   You will then undergo physical therapy outside of the hospital for six to eight weeks. After that, most patients are able to resume normal activities and sports.

 

To Summarise

Overall, the success rate for hip replacement surgery is high. You begin to appreciate your health and mobility in new ways after undergoing a hip replacement. The general takeaway is that if your hip isn’t affecting your quality of life or stopping you from doing daily tasks, you probably don’t need a replacement.

However, if you are having problems, you should schedule a consultation with a hip specialist. He will be able to determine the source of the issue and recommend the best course of action.