Hip replacement surgery has come a long way in the past decades, with a lower risk of complications and recovery times. If you have great pain in your hip, it is best to consult the doctor, and there is a great possibility that they will recommend a hip replacement treatment.
This procedure replaces the hip bones with an artificial one, allowing you to move comfortably and freely. It takes a lot of time to recover from the surgery, and you may have to follow treatment procedures.
Read below to know more about the hip replacement surgery types, procedures, recovery, and cost:
Why do you need a hip replacement?
It might become necessary to have a hip replacement if any one or both of the hip joints becomes damaged and cause persistent problem or pain. The replacement had to be done immediately if you feel this pain during day-to-day activities like driving, walking, and getting dressed. Some common reasons why a hip joint can damage include:
- Osteoarthritis – Here the cartilage inside a hip joint is worn away, which leads to the bones rubbing each other.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – This is caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the joint.
- Hip fracture – If the hip is severely damaged during any accident, it can be replaced.
Types of hip replacement
- A total hip replacement
It is the most popular hip replacement technique, where the hip joint is removed completely. A prosthesis or artificial ball and socket joint is made of medical-grade durable material to replace the joint. You can choose from a variety of materials like metal, ceramic, and plastic parts after getting advice from your doctor. The advantage of this type of surgery is that the two parts of the artificial hip are made to function together. The damaged area is fully removed so that you won’t experience any problems with your bones.
- Partial replacement
A partial hip replacement, as the name implies, addresses a hip-related problem by replacing only a portion of the hip joint. During this treatment, the femoral head, the ball portion of the ball and socket hip joint, is replaced with a metal or ceramic hip implant. It addresses a particular problem with the ball and socket joint. So, this type of surgeries is typically utilized to heal the hip joint after a hip fracture.
- Hip surfacing
Even though this isn’t a replacement, the outcome is comparable to a partial hip replacement because it just modifies the joint’s ball. The injured head of the femur is shaved down by a few millimeters and molded.
It is to allow a metal cap to be bonded in place during a hip resurfacing treatment. Less bone is removed because the original bone socket is left in place. This may feel more natural and take less time to get used to because it keeps more of the bone.
The procedure for hip replacement surgery
Before the procedure
Before the procedure, you will visit the orthopedic doctor for a checkup. The doctor might:
- Request information on your past and present medical conditions and prescriptions.
- Check your hip carefully, paying close attention to the joint’s range of motion and the power of the supporting muscles.
- Take an X-ray and a blood test. Rarely will you may need an MRI.
During this session, feel free to ask any questions you may have about the process.
During the procedure
- A general anesthetic is used during the two hours-long procedure.
- New metal, ceramic, or plastic implants are inserted to correct hip alignment after damaged bone and cartilage are removed.
- The muscles that connect the face of the hip to the thighbone’s peak are moved, exposing the hip joint after a cut is made across it.
- The joint’s ball component is then eliminated by using a saw to make an incision at the thighbone.
- The artificial joint is then connected to the thighbone using either a specific material that enables the bone to bind to the new joint or sutures.
- The artificial joint is then connected to the thighbone using either a specific material that enables the bone to bind to the new joint or sutures.
- Before the replacement socket component is affixed to the hipbone, the surface of the hipbone is prepped by removing any damaged cartilage.
- Next, the ball portion of the thighbone is put into the socket portion of the hip. After the procedure, the doctor stitches the wound and connects the muscles.
What does recovery look like?
Physical therapy and rehabilitation begin right after surgery and continue for a year at home as well as during inpatient. Your physical therapist will assess your hip and leg strength and flexibility as well as your standing and sitting range of motion. A therapist will also give you objectives and directions to follow while in the hospital and at home.
You will spend a lot of time with a physical therapist and an occupational therapist at the rehabilitation center. There you will learn all of your exercises and the safety precautions you must take while regaining your strength. Depending on how quickly you heal, your stay at this hospital could be anywhere from five to fourteen days.
The cost of hip replacement
The hip replacement surgery cost varies according to the type of hip replacement. The cost of the surgery is determined by the two primary types of surgeries ie. total hip replacement and partial hip replacement.
The price of total and partial hip replacement surgery differs significantly. This is because, during a total hip replacement, artificial implants are used to replace both your ball and socket joint. But only a part of your hip is replaced after partial hip replacement surgery is the ball joint.
Bottom Line
A hip replacement is a major procedure for those whose daily lives are substantially disrupted by crippling hip pain and range of motion loss. Consider your options carefully before deciding whether to undergo a hip replacement because recovery may take months.