Hip Replacement Surgery- What you need to know

 

The specialty is generically known as the hip and deals with complex problems involving the pelvis region (pelvis), in addition to the hip joint itself, which is the meeting point between the femoral head and the pelvis. 

The pelvis is responsible for the transmission of body weight and its distribution to the lower limbs, a frequent site of inflammation, pain, tendonitis, and muscle imbalances, which compromise the quality of life, both of sedentary patients, and of amateur or professional athletes.

The complicated anatomy characterized by an intimate relationship with the lumbar spine, in addition to pelvic organs and neurovascular bundles, often causes diagnostic doubt and treatment errors, says the orthopaedic in Delhi.

Hip pain, as in any joint (meeting between two bones), can be of intra or extra-articular origin. The most prevalent intra-articular diseases are: femoroacetabular impingement, arthrosis, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Tendonitis, also known as bursitis, is the main cause outside the joint.

When is hip surgery indicated?

Hip Arthroplasty or hip replacement in Delhi is surgery to replace the joint with a mechanical model called a hip prosthesis. It reproduces joint function very similar to the original biological model.

We know that the hip is a joint formed by the meeting of the head of the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum (part of the pelvis), stabilized by a reinforced set of ligaments. 

In this way, Hip Arthroplasty is indicated when the patient has some type of disease in the hip that results in the joint’s inability to perform natural day-to-day activities. 

The main advantage of hip replacement surgery in Delhi is the relief of pain and the recovery of the functions of the joint, which makes the patient return to perform daily activities painlessly, explains the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi.

There are several factors that cause a person to experience pain in the hip. Some of them are:

• Osteoarthritis: type of arthritis that causes wear of the cartilage that cushions the hip bones and is related to age. It can also be caused by small irregularities in the development of the hip in childhood.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the synovial membrane, which can damage cartilage, causing pain and stiffness.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: cartilage injury that may arise following an injury or severe hip fracture, causing pain and stiffness in the hip over time.
• Avascular necrosis: limitation of blood supply to the femoral head caused by an injury to the hip, such as a dislocation or fracture.

Once the orthopaedic doctor in Delhi and the patient opts ​​for hip surgery, the specialist can request several physical exams before the surgical procedure, to confirm that the health conditions allow the surgery to be performed.

Before and after hip surgery

Now let’s talk a little more about everything that involves before and after hip replacement surgery in Delhi. Do you know how you know the care that must be taken by both patients and doctors? 

Before surgery

Before surgery, the patient is advised to perform blood tests, chest radiography, electrocardiogram and urine samples. That’s because many elderly patients may have undiagnosed urinary tract infections that can lead to a hip infection after surgery, explains the orthopaedic in Delhi.

The type of anaesthesia can vary between general anaesthesia with a breathing tube or regional blocks. In some situations, where only a few screws are planned for fixation, local anaesthesia with heavy sedation can be considered, explains the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi. 

During surgery and for the next 24 hours, all patients receive antibiotics.

After surgery

After hip arthroplasty, patients may be discharged from the orthopaedic clinic in Delhi to return to their homes or to seek a stay in a rehabilitation unit. In all cases, assistance and attention is needed for patients to recover properly, says the orthopaedic in Dwarka.

Pain after hip surgery is a natural part of the healing process and so the doctor and the nursing staff work to reduce the pain. The drugs are prescribed for short-term pain relief.

It is possible that some patients will be encouraged to get out of bed the day after surgery with the assistance of a physical therapist, who will work to assist in the recovery of strength and the ability to walk. This process can take up to three months.

In some cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary after surgery. However, long-term antibiotics are generally not needed. Most patients can still receive a dose of blood thinning medications to reduce the chances of developing blood clots.

It is also important to note that, after hip replacement surgery in Delhi, most patients will regain the mobility and independence they had before the injury.

Some important precautions after hip surgery, to avoid complications such as prosthesis dislocation and bone fracture are:

• Lie on your back and with your legs spread;
• Do not cross your legs to avoid displacement of the prosthesis;
• Do not sit in very low places;
• Avoid turning your leg in or out;
• Physiotherapy;
• Perform activities only under the guidance of the doctor or physiotherapist.

What are the main diseases of the hip?

The patient should seek guidance from an orthopaedic specialist in the hip in the following cases: 

• Hip arthritis: inflammation of local joints. The most common type is inflammatory arthritis, which is when there is a change in the patient’s immune system, involving pain and swelling in the region.
• Hip arthrosis: it is also known as osteoarthritis; it is degeneration of the cartilage that protects the bones. This damage also extends to the ligaments and joints causing pain, swelling and difficulty in movement.
• Hip stress fractures: it occurs in the neck of the femur when stress is generated in the bone. 
• Fracture in the coccyx: occurs mainly in cases of fall or a very strong impact, capable of causing some type of injury at the site. It is common for the patient to feel a lot of pain in the region, in addition to having difficulty moving.
• Hip dislocation: it is a dislocation of the bones of the hip joint. They happen in moments of trauma in the place, for example, in a fall. However, the condition can also be congenital, when the child is born with the dislocation or ends up acquiring it (developmental dysplasia of the hip).
• Hip tendonitis: inflammation in the tendons of the region, capable of causing pain and swelling. 
• Hip bursitis: inflammation of the bursa that is between the muscle and the tendon, in order to avoid a large impact between tendons and bones. When the patient presents this condition, he feels pain in the joints and difficulties to move the inflamed site.