Hip Replacement Surgery: Procedures, Types, and Risks

Hip replacement surgery is the process of an arthritic hip joint being surgically removed and replaced with an artificial hip joint, frequently composed of metal and plastic parts. It is typically done when all other forms of treatment have failed to adequately relieve pain. The technique ought to ease hip joint discomfort, facilitating walking.

How do you know if you need hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery can be necessary if hip pain is affecting your quality of life. Declining quality of life indicators include:

• Inability to sleep soundly due to pain
• Having trouble with simple chores like dressing or climbing stairs
• Being unable to fully engage in the activities you love

Your doctor could first suggest additional therapies like joint injections, walking aids, painkillers for inflammation or pain, or physical therapy. Hip replacement surgery can be required to restore function and enhance quality of life if the above therapies are ineffective in reducing pain and stiffness.

Types of hip replacement surgeries

The kind of hip replacement you might require is influenced by a number of factors. When deciding how to treat you, your doctor will take into account each of the following factors.

1. Total and partial hip replacement surgeries:

Both the ball and the socket are replaced during total hip replacement (also known as total hip arthroplasty). Only the ball is replaced during a partial hip replacement (the head of the femur).

2. Anterior, Posterior, and Lateral Hip Replacements:

The hip can be accessed by an orthopaedic surgeon from a variety of positions. There are three typical ways to reach the hip joint:

• From the front (anterior approach to hip replacement)
• From the side (lateral approach to hip replacement)
• From the back (posterior approach to hip replacement)

3. Traditional and minimally invasive hip replacement surgery:

Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery:

The goal of minimally invasive hip replacement is to lessen the impact of surgery on healthy tissues, including blood vessels and muscles. Orthopaedic doctors today employ minimally invasive procedures with all surgical routes to access the hip, despite the fact, that only anterior hip replacement has been promoted as such. What strategy would yield the best outcome will be discussed with you by your surgeon.

When doing minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon separates the muscles to access the hip joint through one or two tiny incisions. This strategy may offer benefits like:

• Reduced danger of muscle injury
• Fewer pains
• Faster and simpler recovery
• Less stumbling
• Reduction in hospital stay
• Decreased risk of hip dislocation

All patients are not candidates for minimally invasive hip replacement. Your age, weight, degree of fitness, and other characteristics will assist the surgeon in determining whether you are a good candidate.

Traditional hip replacement surgery:

A typical hip replacement involves a single, big incision that allows the surgeon to obtain access to the hip, which is commonly done from the side (lateral approach) or from the rear (back approach) (posterior approach).

Because the surgeon must cut through or detach several muscles and tendons to reach the joint, recovery following a typical hip replacement can be lengthy. (When the hip implants are in place, the muscles and tendons are healed.) You may be at risk of dislocation until all of the supporting components in your new hip have healed.

The aftermath of hip replacement surgery

You will most likely be hospitalised for four to six days and may be required to sleep with a wedge-shaped cushion between your legs to keep the new hip joint in place. A drainage tube will most likely be inserted into your bladder to assist you in going to the bathroom. Physical therapy normally begins the day following surgery, and you should be able to walk with a walker, crutches, or cane within a few days. Physical therapy will be required for several weeks to months after surgery.

Activities to be avoided after a hip replacement

Pivoting or twisting on the affected limb should be avoided for six to twelve months after hip replacement surgery. You should also avoid crossing the concerned leg past the midline of the body, turning the involved leg inward, and bending the hip past 90 degrees. This includes bending forward at the waist as well as squatting.

Your physical therapist will teach you skills and give you adaptive equipment to help you follow any of the above tips and precautions while going about your regular activities. Ignoring your therapist’s advice could result in the dislocation of your surgical replacement hip joint, necessitating another surgery.

Certain sports or hard activities should be avoided even after your hip joint has recovered. The replacement joint is intended for normal daily activity.

A few home remedies to follow after hip replacement surgery

You can take a few basic steps to make life easier when you return home after hip replacement surgery, such as:

1. Reduce climbing stairs. Make the appropriate arrangements so that you only have to climb the stairs once or twice a day.
2. Sit in a chair with a solid, straight back. Recliners are not permitted.
3. Remove all throw rugs and keep the floors and rooms clear of debris.
4. Make use of an elevated toilet seat. This can help you avoid bending your hips too far.
5. Keep boisterous pets at bay until you have fully recovered.

How safe is hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery has been conducted for many years, and surgical procedures are constantly being refined. However, like with any surgery, there are hazards. Blood clots are a particular concern because you won’t be able to walk much at first. Your doctor will prescribe blood thinners to help avoid blood clots. Infection and bleeding are additional possibilities, as are the hazards of employing general anaesthesia.

Other less common problems that you and your doctor should be aware of are:

• Following surgery, your legs may not be of similar length.
• You must avoid crossing your legs or sitting too low since the joint may become dislocated.
• Fat fragments in the bone marrow may become loose, enter the bloodstream, and enter the lungs, causing severe breathing issues.
• Nerves in the hip area can be affected by swelling or pressure, resulting in numbness.
• Replacement parts may become loose, broken, or contaminated.

People also ask

1. What can you not do after a hip replacement?

Pivoting or twisting on the affected limb should be avoided for six to twelve months after hip replacement surgery. You should also avoid crossing the concerned leg past the midline of the body, turning the involved leg inward, and bending the hip past 90 degrees. This includes bending forward at the waist as well as squatting.

Your physical therapist will teach you skills and give you adaptive equipment to help you follow any of the above tips and precautions while going about your regular activities. Ignoring your therapist’s advice could result in the dislocation of your surgical replacement hip joint, necessitating another surgery.

2. Is a hip replacement a major operation?

Since a hip replacement is a significant surgery, it is normally advised only when other therapies, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, have failed to relieve pain or improve mobility.

3. How painful is a hip replacement?

You might feel some discomfort in the hip area, as well as groin and thigh soreness. This is common while your body responds to adjustments made to nearby joints. There may also be some pain in the thigh and knee, which is usually connected with a change in leg length.

4. How do you poop after hip surgery?

To avoid constipation, drink plenty of fluids and eat meals high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables. While using pain medication, use a stool softener. If you haven’t had a bowel movement in two to three days, use a laxative. Notify your doctor if you do not see any improvement after taking the laxative. Make use of an elevated toilet seat. This can help you avoid bending your hips too far.

5. Does a hip replacement remove arthritis?

Total hip replacement completely eliminates hip osteoarthritis. It may significantly enhance your quality of life by relieving pain and improving hip stability and range of motion. Total hip replacement is performed by a surgeon under spinal or general anaesthesia.