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The hip is a ball & socket joint and is among the largest joints in our body. The acetabulum is a socket that is part of the pelvis bone. The ball is the femoral head, the upper end of the thighbone.
The ball and socket surface is protected with articulate cartilage. This cartilage is a smooth tissue that shields the edges of the bones and allows them to move comfortably and flexibly.
A synovial membrane is a slimy tissue that surrounds the hip joint. This membrane creates a tiny portion of the fluid that facilitates the cartilage and separates all friction during hip movement in a healthy hip.
Ligaments are the belts of tissue that attach the ball to the socket and offer solidity to the joint.
Hip replacement is a method in which a surgeon surgically separates the damaged parts of the hip joint and changes them with an artificial joint. This replacement eases the pain and provides comfort & movement.
Arthritis is the most common root of chronic hip pain. There are five popular forms of arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis: This type of arthritis is age-based. Generally, people fifty years or above usually face this arthritis. Sometimes people who have a family history of arthritis can also be affected by this type. It removes the cartilage that protects the hip bones, and due to that, the bones later stroke to one another which creates pain and stiffness in the hip. In some cases, frail irregularities in childhood can also be the reason for getting Osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In this, the synovial membrane gets inflamed, and due to this, the cartilage gets damaged, leading to stiffness & pain. This type of arthritis is a prevalent one.
Post-traumatic arthritis: In Post-traumatic arthritis, the cartilage gets damaged, and later, as time passes, it results in stiffness and pain in the hip. This type of arthritis can result in severe hip damage.
Osteonecrosis: Osteonecrosis is hip damage that restricts the blood to the femoral thigh. The deficiency of blood can result in the shield of the bone caving in, resulting in arthritis.
Childhood hip disease: There are some children and infants who suffer from a hip problem. A person can face arthritis even if they successfully got treated during childhood. This situation can arise if, in childhood, the hip hadn’t typically grown and the joint covers got affected.
The three major types of hip replacement are:
Total Hip Replacement: Total hip replacement is the most usual kind of hip replacement surgery. The surgeon gets rid of the damaged parts of the hip and restores that space with artificial insertion. The socket is changed with a durable plastic cup. Then, a ceramic or metal ball will add after removing the femoral head. Finally, that new ball will be connected to a metal stem and slides into the thighbone's crown.
Partial Hip Replacement: Only one side of the hip joint gets replaced in a partial hip replacement. This hip replacement is majorly done when an older adult ruptures their hip.
Hip Resurfacing: Hip resurfacing is a procedure that is majorly done in younger patients who are more active and physically strong than old patients.
For at least a month before surgery, stop consuming tobacco products. You can take the help of an expert or doctor if you think that you are facing trouble in quitting it. Plus, if you are planning to have dental work that involves cleaning of teeth as well, then postpone for some other time as you are required to avoid it at least two weeks before the surgery.
Pre-Procedure: When patients go in for surgery, they will be asked to put on a hospital gown-type outfit. They then will be given general anesthesia or a spinal block. That will numbs the lower half of their body so that the surgery can be quickly done.
During the Procedure: It takes a few hours to complete the surgical procedure. You need to understand that to start with your hip replacement; the surgeon will:
Make a tiny cut on either front or the side of the hip.
Pull out the damaged cartilage and bone that will leave the healthy bones unharmed.
Embed the prosthetic socket into your pelvic bone to change the ruined socket.
Put back the round ball on the crown of the thighbone with the prosthetic ball connected to a stem that is put into the femur.
In the medical field, hip replacement technology is also continuously and quickly developing. The doctors carry on with evolving less invasive surgical techniques in order to lessen the pain and recovery time.
Post Procedure: When the surgery is complete, the person will be shifted to a recovery room for 2-3 hours so that the anesthesia will subsidize. The hospital staff will examine your blood pressure, alertness, level of pain, pulse, and, most importantly, your requirements for medications.
The hours you need to stay after surgery are based on the patient's requirements. There can be a possibility that you can also be directly asked to go home on a similar day. The doctor can also ask you to inhale and exhale deeply, cough, or blow into a device to assist you in keeping fluid out of your lungs.
The Dos & Don’ts are based on your hip replacement surgeon and the surgical techniques they prefer. You can use these dos and don’ts as the precautions that will assist you in protecting the new joint from dislocating and make sure of complete healing. We have mentioned some general Dos & Don’ts below:-
When in the kitchen, do use a barstool.
Do try to put the leg facing forward.
When sitting or standing, do retain the treated leg in front.
Do apply ice to lessen the swelling and pain. However, keep in mind that ic will decrease the sensation. So, place ice straight to the skin. For this using an ice pack will be ideal.
Do use a heating pad or a hot and damp towel before exercising to help with the range of motion. Place it for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
When you feel like your leg is starting to ache, you can cut back on your exercises instead of stopping doing them.
Don’t bend the waist more than ninety degrees.
Don’t fold the legs at the knees for a minimum of six to eight weeks.
Don’t fold the knee up more than your hip.
While lying in bed, don’t bend to pull up the blanket.
While sitting, don’t incline forward.
When you are sitting, don’t bend to pick up something.
Don’t turn your feet outward or inward unduly when you bend down.
Dr. Darsh Goyal is a renowned Orthopedic Surgeon who has experience of nearly two decades in knee and shoulder surgery. He has worked in some of the finest hospitals across the globe. He has successfully treated more than nine thousand patients. Dr. Darsh has received training from some of the most respected institutes worldwide - NHS England, Hss New York, USA, and Munich, Germany. He has written many books and international papers. Dr. Goyal’s Bones & Joint Centre is among the best centers for advanced Arthroscopy/Laser Surgery for knee and shoulder and Fast track Total knee Replacement.
Q1) What not to do after hip replacement?
The doctor generally recommends these things according to the patient’s situation. But there are certain things which can be kept in mind.
If you feel like walking or are bored sitting or lying in place for so long, don’t resist getting up and moving around.
While walking around, try not to rotate your feet too much.
Don’t get impatient with the healing process. It will take its own time properly. Be patient and optimistic about it.
Q2) How painful is a hip replacement?
As the surgery has been done in the hip area, you can anticipate experiencing thigh and groin pain in that area. You can feel some discomfort in that area. But don’t worry, as this is entirely natural. Your body is accepting the changes that are made to the joints.
Q3) How long does hip replacement surgery take?
Hip replacement surgery generally takes two hours. But the actual time can be decided according to your operation’s timeframe, which determines how severe your condition is and if there is any problem that can emerge later. Your surgery timings can also be affected by the type of procedure your surgeon has chosen for you.
Q4)What exercises should be avoided after hip replacement?
Exercises like Breaststroke, swimming, running, weighted squats, working another leg while standing on the surgical leg should be avoided after the hip replacement. These kinds of exercises produce too much torque. These will prevent proper ingrowth and cause early failure from loosening. Wait for at least three months after your hip replacement surgery.