Total hip replacement / arthroplasty is one of the most successful orthopedic procedures performed today. For patients with hip pain from various reasons, the surgery can relieve pain, restore joint function and improve quality of life.
In this surgery, parts of the damaged hip joint are replaced with implants to create an artificial joint, which will function for at least fifteen years. The vast majority of patients experience significant pain relief and functional limitation after surgery.
In what situations can a hip replacement be performed?
Surgery to replace the hip joint is required when the joint is worn and injured to the point of limiting movement and developing pain even at rest.
The most common reason for resorting to this surgery is osteoarthritis, an inflammatory condition that develops in old age following erosion and degeneration of the cartilaginous surfaces within the joint, which causes bone damage and deformity in a way that limits joint function.
Other common causes are fractures of the femur, rheumatoid arthritis and conditions that interfere with bone development (bone dysplasia).
When is it important to replace the joint?
Referral for joint replacement surgery will be granted after conservative joint treatments such as physical therapy or steroid injections fail to provide benefit or alleviation. In the case of an acute fracture there is a preference for surgery over any other treatments.
Surgical treatment is recommended when there is severe pain in the joint with swelling and stiffness of the thigh and restriction of movement and impairment of daily functioning and quality of sleep, making them unbearable.
Referral to surgery will be made in any case with the consultation and recommendation of the surgeon. When it is not an urgent surgery after a fracture, it is of particular importance to consider all possible risks and health conditions of the patient before making a decision.
How is the surgery performed?
General or regional anesthesia will be given prior to the surgery as well as on occasion direct local anesthesia to the hip joint area where the surgery is performed, in order to reduce the pain after the procedure.
The hip joint itself is built like a ball and socket, and the femur is sunk like a ball inside the socket the pelvic bone creates for it. During a complete replacement of the hip joint, the two bones are replaced with parts made of metal and plastic, similar in shape to the bones.
During surgery, the diseased parts of the joint are removed, and the implants from which the new joint will be built are connected to the healthy tissue.
What are the possible complications?
The risk of complications is low. Complications include infection of the surgical site or damage to blood vessels and nerves passing near the joint.
Rare complications such as a change in leg length, instability of the implants or their fixation in the wrong position and angle needs reoperation to correct joint position.
Prevention of deep vein thrombosis is treated with preventive blood thinners.
Recovery from hip replacement
The techniques used by surgeons to perform the surgery are constantly evolving and over the years they become less invasive - a fact that shortens the duration of recovery and return to function.
Resuming full daily function after surgery is usually quick and many patients are discharged home in a relatively short time, depending on their health condition.
As part of the recovery process, it is important to combine physiotherapy treatments and adapted physical activity in accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician.
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