All about Hip replacement and its treatment
Overview
Hip replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the surgeon removes portions of your hip joints that are damaged. The surgeon will then replace the removed joint with an artificial one. Your hip is made up of two main parts: the femoral head that lies atop the thighbone and the acetabulum that constitutes part of the pelvis. The femoral head is shaped like a ball while the acetabulum assumes the shape of a socket. The femoral head moves in the acetabulum, in effect enabling you to move or rotate your leg sideways, forward, and even backward. In a healthy hip, the balls and socket are covered by cartilage. This is a soft tissue that promotes the smooth gliding of the ball and socket.
However, the cartilage may get damaged or worn out. When this happens, the ball and socket get rough and may also scrape together. Worn-out cartilage can be a result of a condition known as osteoarthritis that is characterized by pain while walking. Osteoarthritis also limits your movement. Hip arthritis is usually treated through a surgical procedure. In hip replacement surgery, your surgeon will operate on your hip and remove the diseased ball and socket. He or she will use artificial balls and sockets as a replacement. These parts can be made of plastic, metal, or ceramic. Other conditions that can necessitate hip replacement include hip fracture or bone dysplasia. This is a bone disorder that is characterized by unusual bone growth.
Hip replacement is a common procedure and each year, thousands of individuals undergo the procedure. Some of the benefits associated with hip replacement surgery include enhanced mobility, increased comfort, and reduced pain. Additionally, hip replacement surgery is also associated with an improved quality of life. Like any other surgery, hip replacement surgery is also prone to few risks. It is important that you get to discuss some of the potential risks and complications of this procedure with your surgeon beforehand.
Why is hip replacement surgery necessary?
A damaged hip joint as a result of several conditions will necessitate hip replacement. Some of the conditions that can lead to hip replacement include:
- Osteoarthritis: This is a condition that causes wear and tear of the cartilage that covers the ball and socket on your hip. The slick cartilage promotes smooth movements of the joints. However, in case it gets damaged such movement is restricted
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a condition that leads to an inflammation of the joints. It is associated with an overactive immune system. The ensuing inflammation can damage the cartilages and underlying bones through erosion. Consequently, this may lead to deformed joints
- Osteonecrosis: A condition that leads to bone deformation or collapse. This is likely to happen in case the hip joint receives an insufficient supply of blood. The restricted blood flow could be due to a fracture or dislocation.
In the case of arthritis, your doctor may recommend other alternatives such as maintaining a healthy weight, taking painkillers, and doing physical activities. Walking and physiotherapy may also help. Surgery is the last option. If, however, the stiffness and pain have a huge impact on your ability to undertake daily activities. Surgery is also recommended if:
- There is ongoing pain even after taking medication
- Pain is exacerbated by walking, even after using a walker or cane
- Pain affects your sleep
- Pain makes it hard for you to rise up while seated
- Pain interferes with certain activities, such as going down or up the stairs
Are there any risks involved in hip replacement surgery?
The following risks may accompany hip replacement surgery:
- Infection: You are likely to get an infection on the site where your surgeon has made an incision. Your surgeon will often recommend antibiotics to treat such an infection. In case of major infection, such as near your prosthesis, it may be necessary to undergo a surgical procedure
- Blood clots: You may also develop blood clots in the veins of your leg post-surgery. Such clots are dangerous because in case it breaks off, it could travel to the heart or lungs. To minimize such a risk, your surgeon will often prescribe blood-thinning medication
- Dislocation: In case the ball in your new joint detaches from the socket, this is known as dislocation. A dislocation may occur during the first few weeks after surgery. When this happens, your surgeon will most likely fit you with a brace. The purpose of the brace is to hold your hip in the right position. In case the dislocation persists, it may be necessary to undergo further surgery and stabilize the hip
- Fracture: While undergoing the procedure, there is the risk of getting fractures on a healthy part of the hip joint. For larger fractures, your doctor will often use screws or a metal plate to stabilize them. Otherwise, if the fracture is very small, these will often heal unaided
Preparing for hip replacement surgery
Before the procedure, we will schedule an appointment with your orthopedic surgeon. During the meeting, your orthopedic surgeon will take your medical history. For example, he may want to know whether you or any of your family members have a bleeding disorder. He or she will ask whether you are currently on any medication.
Your orthopedic surgeon will also conduct a physical examination of your hip. Specifically, the surgeon will be interested in the range of motion that characterizes your joint. Additionally, he or she will pay attention to the strength of your hip joint, along with the adjacent muscles. The surgeon can also order an X-ray and blood test. This allows them to have a clearer picture of how damaged the hip looks and the extent of such damage.
You are encouraged to seek any clarifications that you might have about the surgery doing this preoperative assessment. Feel free to also ask your orthopedic surgeon any questions that you may have about the surgery. Remember to ask your surgeon whether you need to discontinue or avoid any kind of medication before and after the procedure.
Procedure
Your surgeon may elect to perform hip replacement surgery in one of two main ways: the traditional standards procedure or the modern minimally invasive procedure. The two procedures differ in terms of the size of the incision made. The choice of procedure also depends on your preference and what your surgeon feels would be most effective for you.
The standard hip replacement procedure
A standard hip replacement procedure is conducted under general anesthesia. This promotes muscle relaxation. The anesthetic also puts you in deep sleep, albeit temporarily. The surgeon may also elect to administer a spinal anesthetic to ensure you do not feel pain during the procedure.
Once the anesthetic has taken effect, your surgeon proceeds to make an incision along your hip towards the muscles atop your thighbone. The goal is to expose your hip joint. After that, your surgeon cuts the thighbone using a saw, in effect to facilitate the removal of the joint that holds the ball portion in place. The surgeon will next attach an artificial joint to your thighbone. The orthopedic surgeon uses special materials that assist him or her to attach the new joints to the remaining bone.
The next activity is the removal of the damaged cartilage. The surgeon prepares the surface of your hipbone in readiness for attaching an artificial socket. He or she inserts the new ball part into the socket. The surgeon may decide to create a drain that promotes fluid draining. Once the surgeon has reattached the hip muscles, he or she will finally close the incision.
Minimally-invasive hip surgery
Thanks to advances in medical technology, doctors are increasingly utilizing a minimally- invasive technique. In this case, the surgeon makes an incision that is about 2-5 inches. He or she will then proceed to follow the same procedure as happens in standard hip replacement surgery. This procedure is associated with reduced blood loss in comparison with the standard procedure. Additionally, the procedure minimizes scar appearance, reduces hospital stay, and promotes faster healing.
Post-op care
After the procedure, you will receive any drugs and fluids that you need via a drip. The surgeon may also deem it necessary to insert a plastic tube in your hip. The aim of this tube is to promote fluid drainage as you recover from surgery.
From the operating theater, you will be taken to a recovery room under the watchful eye of a nurse. He or she will monitor your vitals and observe and make sure that all is well. From the recovery room, you will be taken to the ward. The nurse will strap a pillow or pad between your legs. The goal is to keep your legs apart.
Your doctor will prescribe painkillers to assist in reducing pain. You are likely to feel pain as the effect of the anesthetic reduces.
Our hospital team will do their best to help you get started with walking as soon as you can. This may happen later in the day post-surgery. The hospital team will provide you with a walking frame to start you off. With time, you will be provided with elbow crutches.
After 24 hours post-surgery, the surgical team will remove the drains and drip inserted during and after the procedure.
Physiotherapy
We will arrange for an appointment with our physiotherapist post-surgery to further promote your mobility. The physiotherapist will also advise you on the kind of exercises that will help to strengthen your muscles. Additionally, the therapist will assist you in walking using crutches including safely climbing the stairs before you are discharged from the hospital. Other advice that you may hope to receive from a physiotherapist is to how to get in bed and out of bed.
You will also get advice on some of the activities that you will need to avoid, at least until you have fully recovered.
Occupational therapist
We will also make arrangements to have you checked by an occupational therapist. He or she will assess the situation at your home, along with your physical ability. This allows the occupational therapist to make arrangements on some of the gadgets that you may need to assist with such activities as getting dressed. He or she may, for example, recommend raising your toilet seat.
Once your orthopedic surgeon is satisfied that you are making good progress, you will be allowed to go home. In case of a minimally invasive procedure, you may have to stay in hospital for a few days, usually about a day or two.
Surgery may predispose you to an increased risk of blood clots. To mitigate such a risk, your surgeon will recommend that you start moving as early as possible. Wearing an inflatable air sleeve reduces the risk of clot formation. Elastic compression stockings may also help. Your surgeon can also prescribe blood-thinning medication.
Hip pain is very common among the elderly. This is largely attributed to the wear and tear of your hip joints across your lifetime. Other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can also trigger hip pain. If not addressed, acute hip pain has the potential to affect your daily activities. This not only overwhelms your body, but it also impacts the quality of your life, leading to depression and poor sleep. Hip pain does not resolve on its own. Also, home remedies may not be of any help. However, surgery can help to relieve hip pain, thereby improving the quality of your life.
Benefits of Hip Replacement Surgery in Bangalore
- Cost-effective surgery
- Highly-skilled surgeons
- Minimum risks
- Quick recovery
- Transport services before and after the surgery
- Post-op consultation
Goficure for hip replacement surgery in Bangalore
At goficure, we have highly skillful surgeons in Bangalore who have collectively accumulated decades of experience in conducting hip replacement surgery. Our experienced surgeons usually recommend laser surgery while conducting hip replacement surgery, over conventional surgery, The reason is that laser surgery is less invasive, leads to quicker recovery, reduces the risk for infection, and there is no bleeding involved. Goficure has one of the most elaborate systems for undertaking hip replacement treatment in Bangalore. We start by scheduling your consultation with our surgeon so that he/she can give the correct diagnosis. We will then make arrangements with hospitals in Bangalore that specialize in hip replacement surgery where you will undergo the procedure. We will pick you from home, ensure that the procedure has gone successfully, and transport you back home. We also make arrangements for your insurance claim. We offer one of the most heavily discounted post-op consultations in Bangalore to ascertain that the surgery was successful and that the recovery is on track. Goficure has also partnered with registered nutritionists and dieticians in Bangalore who will help you with a personalized diet plan for quicker recovery.
Exclusive features you get with goficure
1. Dedicated Medi-Pal
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to you. Your Medi-Pal will be your one point contact throughout the treatment and post-op period. They will always be available for you
2. Quick doctor’s appointments
After understanding your concerns, your Medi-Pal will schedule your consultation with a specialist doctor. Your doctor will carry out necessary tests and advise the course of treatment
3. Hassle-free treatment
If you opt to get the surgery done, goficure will take care of it completely. Right from booking your surgery, claiming your insurance to being with you throughout the procedure, your Medi-Pal will do it all
4. Post-op recovery support
Your Medi-Pal would ensure quick recovery. This includes booking your follow up consultations and helping you with doctor-recommended steps for diet & exercise
Guarantees
Smooth and hassle-free
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Why Goficure?
Specialist doctors
Our doctors are vetted for their experience and skills. Rest assured, you are in safe hands. The best treatment for your condition is delivered all the time
Medi-Pal assistance
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to take care of the entire process. This includes booking your appointments, scheduling the surgery, handling your documentation including claiming insurance, discharge, and post-op recovery
Affordability
Goficure delivers high-quality treatment to you at affordable prices. Superior treatment and best quality of service is assured while keeping costs reasonable
Post procedure care and follow-ups
Our engagement doesn't end after your surgery. It continue until you go back to your normal life. Free diet and exercise consultations during your recovery phase are offered to ensure a quick recovery
Comparison
With so many options, are you wondering what the right choice for your condition is? While you can opt for either an open surgery or a laser surgery, numerous studies have shown that laser surgeries are far more effective. Be it the duration of the procedure, post-operative pain or recovery time, laser surgeries always outrank open surgeries and are therefore, a better choice. Here is a quick comparison that will help you decide your course of action.
What you don’t undergo with goficure
1. Long waiting lines
2. Lack of personalized attention
3. Excessive billing/hidden charges
4. Running around for your treatment
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