If your hips have been injured due to arthritis, injury, fracture, etc. it can affect your daily activities such as walking, sitting, standing etc. You may even find it difficult to wear socks and shoes as your hips become stiff. If the condition is not improved even after using medications, and making lifestyle changes, you may need to go for total hip replacement surgery.
Total hip replacement surgery is safe and effective to relieve your pain. You can get back to your daily activities and the range of motion also develops. During the surgery, the damaged cartilage and bones are removed and are replaced with prosthetic components.
When is a Total Hip Replacement Surgery Recommended?
The decision for choosing total hip replacement surgery is made by your doctor, and your family after evaluating your condition. The process begins when your primary doctor refers you to an orthopedic surgeon.
There are various reasons to choose total hip replacement surgery. The surgery is recommended for people with the following:
- People who have hip pain that affects their daily activities such as walking and bending
- Hip pain or discomfort while sleeping, resting either during the day or at night
- Hip stiffness that causes difficulty to lift or move the leg
- Using medications and physical therapy did not improve the hip pain
- Post-traumatic arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Hip dislocation
- Rheumatoid arthritis
People of any age group can undergo this surgery. The surgery is recommended based on the severity, disability, and health rather than age. Total hip replacement surgery is successful for all age groups from teenagers to elders with degenerative arthritis.
How to Prepare for Total Hip Replacement Surgery?
When you decide for total hip replacement surgery, your doctor will conduct a physical examination to ensure that you are healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure and to recover faster. If you have any heart disease, a cardiologist will evaluate your heart before the surgery.
The doctor may also conduct tests such as X-rays, blood tests, EKG to decide and prepare for the surgery. Inform your doctor about the medications you use and the surgeon will advise on the medications that you can take and medications that you should stop before the surgery. If you are overweight, you should lose weight before undergoing the surgery to reduce the stress on the new hip.
After the surgery, you will be able to walk with the help of a walker or crutches, but still, you may need the support of someone for some weeks for your daily activities.
How is the Total Hip Replacement Surgery Performed?
You need to get admitted in the hospital on the day of the surgery or a day before the surgery. You will be given anesthesia to help you relax your body during the surgical procedure. The surgery takes around one to two hours.
During the surgical procedure, your doctor will make an incision either on the side or front of your hip. The surgeon will then remove the damaged cartilage or bone and it will be replaced with the implan1ts to restore the functioning of your hip. The implants can be made up of either metal, plastic, or ceramic. The incisions will be closed with stitches.
New techniques have been evolving for performing total hip replacement surgeries. Surgeons are developing less invasive techniques that can reduce the recovery time and pain.
After the surgical procedure, you will be moved to a recovery room for some hours. The doctor will keep monitoring your blood pressure, pulse, and if you need any medications. The duration for how long you should stay in the hospital is based on your medical condition, and it varies from one patient to another.
Recovery After the Surgery
Before you leave the hospital, you will be given tips to protect your new hip, improve functioning and reduce your pain. Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce your pain. Eventually, you should stop taking medications once your pain gets reduced. If your pain did not decrease even with medication after the surgery, you should inform your doctor.
The wound should be kept dry and clean all the time. You should use a bandage on the wound to avoid irritation from clothes. To restore muscle strength and to improve the healing of tissues, follow a balanced diet with rich iron supplements. You should have plenty of fluids.
Physical therapy may be suggested by your doctor to restore the mobility and strength of your new hip. You should perform exercises to strengthen your muscles.
Visit Dr Suhas to Undergo Total Hip Replacement Surgery
If your hip has been severely injured and medications did not work for you, meet Dr Suhas for total hip replacement surgery. Dr Suhas Masilamani has over 17 years of experience working as an orthopedic and joint replacement surgeon in Hyderabad. He uses the latest technology to make the surgery less invasive. To know more, call us today.