Hip Replacement Surgery
What is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is when a surgeon removes your damaged hip joint and puts in an artificial new joint. The artificial hip joint parts are made of metal, plastic, or ceramic.
Who Needs Hip Replacement Surgery?
You may need hip replacement surgery if you have:
- Arthritis that has worn down your hip joint over time
- A hip fracture or broken hip bone that needs repaired
- A loss of blood supply to the hip bone area (called osteonecrosis)
Goals of Surgery
The goals of hip replacement surgery are to:
- Relieve pain from your damaged hip
- Help you move and use your hip joint better
- Increase your mobility and activity levels
How is Hip Replacement Surgery Done?
During surgery, the surgeon makes a cut over your hip area. They remove damaged bone and cartilage from your hip socket and thigh bone. These are replaced with artificial parts shaped like a round ball and socket.
Your surgeon may use a combination of artificial pieces to replace the hip joint. For example:
- Metal-on-polyethylene (MoP)
- Metal-on-metal (MoM)
- Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC)
- Ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP).
Because of complications that may develop, surgeons rarely use metal-on-metal artificial bearing surfaces.
Recovering After Surgery
After hip replacement surgery:
- You may need to limit activities at first while healing
- You will likely need physical therapy to help strengthen your new hip
- You can expect less hip pain and a better ability to move around
Getting Ready for Surgery
There are several things you can do to prepare before your hip replacement:
- Ask your surgeon what to expect with surgery and recovery
- Do recommended exercises to strengthen your muscles
- Quit smoking or cut back if possible
- Lose weight if overweight
- Arrange for rides to medical appointments
- Get help with cooking, cleaning, etc for a couple of weeks after surgery
- Prepare easy meals ahead of time
- Set up items you use daily within arm’s reach at home
What Happens During Surgery
During the surgery:
- You will be given anesthesia to put you to sleep or numb the hip area
Your surgeon will make a cut over your hip - They will remove damaged bone and cartilage from the hip socket and thigh bone
- These areas will be replaced with new artificial metal, plastic, or ceramic hip joint parts
- After surgery, you will wake up in a recovery room
After Surgery
- You may need to stay 1-3 days in the hospital
- You will likely go home with medicines, instructions on activity limits and follow-ups
- At home have your items handy, walk short distances and do leg exercises
- You may need equipment like crutches, grab bars, raised toilet seat
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Narayan Khandelwal:
If ongoing hip joint problems are reducing your quality of life, consider total hip replacement. Call 9920126404 or book online to schedule a consultation to determine if surgery is appropriate.