Hip Replacement
For years, hip replacement surgery has been a common solution for elderly individuals suffering from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, as well as other conditions, injuries and diseases. However, hip replacement has become a more common treatment option for younger individuals with these conditions as well, and is no longer limited primarily to older and less active individuals.
In most cases surgery is not the first option recommended by a physician. Other alternatives, such as physical therapy and walking aids are often used as long as possible before a patient undergoes hip replacement. In some cases, anti-inflammatories and medications such as cortisone are also used as alternative treatments to hip replacement surgery.
The procedure involves removing damaged or diseased cartilage and bone from the hip. The parts of the hip which allow wide ranges of movement, the acetabulum and the femur, are replaced with artificial parts. In some surgeries, the artificial parts are cemented, and in other cases they are made of porous materials so that the patient’s own bone will grow to hold them in place.
Generally, an operation is considered necessary when other forms of treatment have failed to relieve pain and other symptoms. As with all surgeries, there are risks to hip replacement including blood clots. More common risks are inflammation and hip dislocation.
Movement should be limited immediately following surgery, although patients are required to begin some activities immediately both to promote healing and to with the effects of the anesthetic used during surgery. Most patients will remain in the hospital for several days.
Post-operative care will include physical therapy and pain medications. Physical therapy will focus on teaching the patient the limitation of the artificial hip replacement, and will teach them the proper ways to bend, sit, walk and generally go about daily living with some new limitations.
While exercise remains an important part of daily life, people who have undergone hip replacement are expected to avoid high-impact activity. Recommended options for exercise can include walking and swimming, which provide cardiovascular benefits without undue strain on the hip replacement.
Patients are encouraged to prepare their homes for their return prior to surgery. This includes setting up an area with easy access to many of the things the patient will need for entertainment during the first several days home from the hospital, moving kitchen items within easy reach, setting up a shower chair and removing anything on floor surfaces that could cause slipping or tripping.
With proper preparation and attention to all post-operative instructions, hip replacement patients can return to a normal and active lifestyle in spite of some limitations.
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