Hip replacement

Description hip replacement

Total hip replacement – surgery to replace a sick or injured hip joint. Artificial ball and socket joint is inserted instead of the hip. The artificial joint is called a prosthesis.

Minimally invasive hip replacement – and an operation to replace a sick or injured hip joint. This operation requires only one or two small incisions and is performed using special tools. Patients, which you can carry out this operation should have:

• Age younger than 50 years;
• Normal weight;
• To be healthier than those, who runs the traditional total hip replacement surgery.

Causes of hip replacement

This operation is performed, when pain and stiffness limit normal activities. The pain and stiffness occur, usually, because of arthritis. The operation is performed, when other treatments do not work. Other treatments include rest, medications, and physical therapy.

Usually within six weeks the patient can resume normal activities. The prosthetic hip joint is usually placed on 10-15 years.

Possible complications when performing hip replacement

Before, how to perform a hip replacement, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Dislocated hip (the most common complication) – It is, when the ball portion of the prosthesis is displaced from its normal position in the hip;
• Infection;
• Blood clots;
• Swelling or bleeding;
• Injury to nearby nerves and blood vessels;
• Anesthesia-related problems, such as pneumonia.

Factors, that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Pre-existing diseases (eg, heart or lungs);
• Obesity;
• Infection (eg, urinary tract infection, gum disease) – infection increases the risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream and infecting the joint;
• Previous problems with blood clots;
• Smoking.

How is hip replacement?

Before surgery

Before replacing the hip joint can be assigned to the following tests:

• Inspection;
• Roentgen – test, which uses X-rays, to take a picture of structures inside the body;
• Blood tests;
• MRI scan – test, which uses a magnetic field, to make pictures of structures inside the body;
• CT scan – a special kind of X-ray, which uses computer, to make pictures of structures inside the body.

In preparation for the procedure,:

• It is necessary to lose weight, if overweight. This will reduce the load on a new joint. A good effect is given lessons in the pool;
• To improve security when restoring to do some modifications house:
  • Set the handle to lift the toilet lid, hose in the shower. You need to install handrails on stairs and around the walls;
  • It is recommended to remove mats;
  • We need to buy a comfortable chair. When sitting knees should remain lower than the hips;
  • It is necessary to place items, that they are easily accessible. Thus it is possible to avoid bends and slopes;
• It may be necessary to stop taking some medicines:
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin);
  • Blood thinners, eg, clopidogrel (Plaviks) or warfarin;
• Your doctor may suggest surgery to donate blood. Patient, probably, lose some blood during the operation. If you want to be a blood transfusion, the doctor may use a patient's own blood;
• If the patient is ill with fever or shortly before surgery, you need to tell your doctor;
• We need to organize a trip to the hospital and the hospital. Besides, We need to organize care at home;
• We need to smoke less or quit smoking;
• In the evening, the day before the operation you need to take only a light meal. On the day of surgery can not eat anything.

Anesthesia

During the operation using general anesthesia. The drug is injected in the arm. During the operation, the patient is asleep.

Procedure hip replacement

Total hip replacement

The doctor makes an incision along the joint. Muscles are moved towards. The damaged bone and cartilage of the hip joint will be removed. After that, the doctor prepares to install the remaining bone prosthesis. The new plastic and metal joints are placed instead of their own. Depending on the type of prosthesis physician can use bone cement, attached to one or both sides of an artificial hip joint to the bone. Then the incision is closed with stitches or staples.

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

This operation can be performed with one or two slits.

For both types, special tools are used, are introduced into these small incisions. In some cases, x-rays will be used, to help the doctor see the internal structure of the hip.

During operation in a single incision doctor makes an incision on the outside of the thigh. Muscles and tendons are removed in the direction. Next, the damaged bone and cartilage of the hip joint will be removed. Doctor prepare the remaining bone for the prosthesis installation. The new plastic and metal joints are placed instead of their own. Depending on the type of prosthesis physician can use bone cement, attached to one or both sides of an artificial hip joint to the bone. Then the incision is closed with stitches or staples.

With operations in two sections doctor makes an incision in the groin one, and the other near the buttocks. A further step is carried out as described above.

How long will the surgery?

• Total hip replacement: few hours;
• Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement: 2-3 o'clock.

Will it hurt?

After surgery, the pain may occur. For the relief of pain the patient is administered pain medications.

Time spent in hospital

This procedure is performed in a hospital. The usual length of stay:

• 4-6 days for a full hip replacement;
• 1-2 days for minimally invasive hip replacement.

Your doctor may delay the patient in the hospital, If there are complications. In some cases, you may need to stay in hospital for rehabilitation period.

Postoperative care after hip replacement

In the hospital

• They may need crutches for the next day after surgery, When can I start walking;
• One must be careful. The fall can damage or dislocate the new joint. You can not walk unaided;
• We need to take drugs to prevent blood clots;
• We need to start physical therapy, to restore mobility and strength;
• It is recommended to breathe deeply and cough 10-20 every hour. This will reduce the risk of accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.

Nursing homes

Houses need to do the following, to ensure the normal recovery:

• We need to keep the incision clean and dry;
• We need to ask the doctor about, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the surgical site to water;
• Browsing, We need to lay down a V-shaped pillow between your legs. This will help maintain the correct position of the hips;
• We need to work with a physiotherapist. It will show, how to move the hips and maintain correct posture. Depending on the operation, may require, avoid crossing legs, hip flexion over 90 degrees, and turning the foot inward or outward;
• We need to take medication, recommended by the doctor. Do not take medications without a doctor's permission;
• It is necessary to inform the dentist about the operation, because you may need antibiotics for some dental procedures. This reduces the risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream and surgical site;
• It is necessary to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can increase wear on the new joint;
• We should avoid jogging and other sports with a load on his feet. This may increase the wear of the joint, weaken it and cause pain.

It is necessary to go to the hospital in the following cases

• There are signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding or other discharge from the incision;
• Pain and / or swelling in the legs, calves and feet;
• Cough, breathlessness, chest pain;
• Severe nausea or vomiting;
• Pain, that does not go after the adoption of painkillers;
• Numbness, tingling in your leg, lap, or feet;
• Pain, burning, frequent urination or presence of blood in urine.