Total Hip Replacement: Surgery and Risk Factors

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Hip replacement is a surgery that involves the removal and replacement of portions of the pelvis and thigh bone that form the hip joint. It is usually performed to relieve hip pain and stiffness mainly caused by hip arthritis. This condition mainly occurs when people start growing old and the cartilage that protects the bones in the hip starts to degenerate. A portion of the hip joints is removed and replaced with metal, ceramic parts, or plastic during total hip replacement. This surgery is also performed to treat broken hips or improperly growing hips. Advances in science mean that patients can now benefit from robotic hip replacement which provides many advantages over traditional approaches, such as improved accuracy, lower operating room time, and an accelerated recovery time. The Queen’s Medical Center, which offers the only robotic-assisted hip replacement in Hawaii, has a useful guide with a wealth of information about hip replacement; from preparation to recovery, and more. 

Here is all you need to know about surgeries and the risk factors involving total hip replacement.

Why Do You Need a Hip Replacement?

Some problems arise and damage the hip joint, making hip replacement surgery necessary. These are:

● Osteoarthritis

Popularly known as ‘wear and tear arthritis’, Osteoarthritis damages the cartilage that covers the end of bones and helps joints smoothly.

● Rheumatoid arthritis

This type of problem arises when an individual has an overactive immune system. It produces a special type of inflammation that destroys cartilage and underlying bone, resulting in damaged joints.

● Osteonecrosis

This occurs when the ball portion of the hip joint doesn’t get enough blood, resulting in dislocation or fracture of the hip joint.

You need an immediate hip replacement if the pain in your hips:

● Worsens with walking

● Interferes with your sleep or daily activities

● Affects your ability to walk up or downstairs

● Makes it daunting to get up from a seated position

There are three different types of hip replacement surgeries, and they are:

  1. Total hip replacement surgery
  2. Partial hip replacement
  3. Hip resurfacing
  1. Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Doctors perform this surgery during critical conditions. This surgery is also popular by the name of total hip Arthroplasty. In this surgery, damaged parts of the hips are replaced with implants. The femoral head is replaced with a ball-like substance made of metal, while the socket is replaced with a cup-like substance.

  1. Partial Hip Replacement

It is also known as Hemiarthroplasty. This type of surgery involves the replacement of only one side of the hip joint (femoral head) instead of both sides, like total hip replacement surgery. Doctors perform this surgery only when the patient has fractured their hip.

  1. Hip Resurfacing

This type of surgery is very rare, and it fixes the femoral head rather than replacing it with a metal alloy.

Methods Of Total Hip Replacement

There are exclusively two types of surgical approaches for performing a total hip replacement:

● The Posterior approach (more common)

● The Anterior approach (it is also known as the ‘mini-anterior approach’ or ‘muscle-sparing hip replacement’)

It is important to follow the instruction provided by the Orthopedic doctor to avoid any trouble before or after the operation. It takes about one and a half hours to perform this operation, and the patient may need to stay at the hospital for two more days after the procedure.

The Risk Involved in Total Hip Arthroplasty

The risk involved in a total hip replacement is extremely low. Serious issues occur in less than 3% of patients. A few common risks involved with this type of surgery are as follows:

  • Infection

Infection can occur superficially in the wound. It may be seen after a few days of surgery. It can also occur after a few years. A minor infection can be treated with antibiotics. However, major infections require surgeries and removal of the prosthesis.

  • Blood Clot

Blood clots in the leg or pelvis are among the most common complications seen in total hip replacement surgery. These blood clots can even result in death if they travel to the lungs. To avoid this, the surgeon draws a prevention program that includes blood-thinning medication, inflatable leg covering, and so on.

  • Leg Length Inequality

It is one of the most common complications that can be seen after surgery. One leg may be shorter than the other one. Doctors try their best to make the leg length the same, but it may vary to maximize the stability of the hip. The leg length can be adjusted to with minor lifestyle changes.

Other few complications are dislocation, nerve and blood vessel injury, stiffness. Few people may experience some pain after the surgery.

The Bottom Line

The average cost of total hip replacement is Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 3.50 lakhs. According to a survey, it is said that 90% of patients heal within one week. If you have been experiencing unrelenting hip pain, speak to your doctor about your options immediately.