What Is Hip Replacement Surgery and Recovery Time?
The hip joint is a pivotal part of the skeletal system, allowing us to lead an active and healthy life. However, various conditions can lead to debilitating hip pain.
The hip joint is a pivotal part of the skeletal system, allowing us to lead an active and healthy life. However, various conditions can lead to debilitating hip pain. This post discusses the hip replacement procedure and recovery in detail.
The hip is made up of various parts internally as mentioned below.
● The Acetabulum
● The Femoral Head
● The Labrum
● The Articular Cartilage
● Ligaments
● Tendons
● Bursae
● Synovial Membrane
This is a safe and highly successful procedure.
In this intervention, only damaged parts are removed from the joint that are causing pain and hampering mobility. Then, the same parts are resurfaced with the help of an implant.
The hip implant is made up of metal and plastic and is very durable and safe. The implant works smoothly, without any trouble, along with healthy internal bones and tissues.
People whose hip joints have been completely damaged or worn out require this surgery to restore a normal life. Damage causes chronic inflammation and the affected person is unable to walk, climb stairs, or even perform basic essential day-to-day activities.
The best orthopedic surgeon in India offers the most personalised and effective joint replacement surgeries empowered with the latest robotic technology or AI-assisted AR technology.
Causes of Hip Damage
There are several reasons that cause severe internal hip damage, which are briefly discussed below.
Osteoarthritis: The femoral head or ball of the hip is covered with a soft-tissue layer called cartilage. This layer allows friction-free movement so that the person can walk and move about without any rubbing and thus pain. However, overuse or trauma can damage cartilage and cause the joint to become stiff and immobile.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is another form of arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder. This is caused by the malfunctioning of the immune system which attacks healthy joint lining or synovial membrane. However, what causes the immune system to behave this way is largely unknown though most medical research attributes it to a person’s genetic particularities.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: An injury to the hip can cause serious consequences, leading to cartilage damage and bone degeneration over time. It results in a condition resembling arthritis and is often known as PTA or post-traumatic arthritis.
Deformities: Many people don’t have properly formed balls and sockets in their hip joints. Sometimes, the hip ball is either too big or too short to fit the socket properly; the same can also be true for the hip socket.
The condition can be congenital (right from birth) or can also develop during growth years. Some examples of such conditions are Femoroacetabular Impingement, Hip Dysplasia, Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, Perthes Disease, etc.
Avascular Necrosis: Insufficient blood supply to a bone causes damage and collapse of the structure, disrupting normal joint function, known as osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis. The condition primarily affects the femoral head, causing debilitating inflammation.
Recovery
Rehabilitation or recovery after hip replacement surgery is a subjective procedure. Some people take longer while others might recover faster. A lot also depends on the patient’s lifestyle choices and health status.
Furthermore, the degree of compliance with post-operative instructions (dos and don’ts), guidelines and precautions is directly proportional to the recovery timeline—the higher the compliance, the faster the recovery!
Young patients usually take less time due to stronger bones, better overall health and less physical degeneration (wear and tear) compared to middle-aged people or senior citizens. However, in case of comorbidity, recovery might last several months.
The hospital stay after surgery may extend from four to five days, or even longer for bilateral hip replacement surgeries. A patient receives physiotherapy, pain management, infection control, and periodic checks which facilitate the early detection of any potential complications.
On the 2nd day, patients usually start to move the joint without any problems. A walking aid like a cane or walker might be needed for initial walks. At this stage, the person can easily manage toilet or washroom needs on their own.
After discharge from the hospital, it has to be ensured that the stitches don’t get wet as it increases the risk of infection. Stitches are removed 14 days after the surgery.
In short, recovery varies from patient to patient. On average, it requires at least 2 to 3 months to resume essential activities and begin to live independently.
Types of Surgery
There are two types of hip replacement interventions such as
● Total Hip Replacement
● Partial Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement is only recommended when major parts of the hip are damaged almost completely. Partial hip replacement, on the other hand, is meant for patients whose hip isn’t completely damaged or degenerated but in some regions.
In this regard, a total replacement needs more time to recover than a partial replacement.
Furthermore, there are factors like bilateral and unilateral. Bilateral means the patient needs surgery for both the hips while unilateral means only one hip requires the intervention. The bilateral procedure usually takes longer to heal than the unilateral.
Thus, the nature of surgery also influences the recovery process.
Can I Walk Right After the Replacement?
The patient is provided support to walk 24 hours after the surgery. It helps prevent blood clotting and enhances surgical outcomes.
Precautions
After surgery, it is crucial on the part of the patient as well that they pay attention and don’t engage in anything that can cause hindrance to the recovery process.
Some of such things are as follows:
● Don’t miss physiotherapy sessions.
● Follow-up consultations are crucial.
● Correctly perform recommended exercises.
● Avoid rushing while using the stairs.
● Be mindful while walking or engaging in activities.
● Ensure healthy meals.
● Don’t overeat to keep extra weight at bay.
● Stay away from over-exercising to avoid strain.
● Drive safely after a full recovery.
Conclusion
If you are someone who has chronic hip pain, consult a doctor or it might become worse and even lead to complete physical disability. You might require hip replacement surgery, which is a safe procedure. Connect with the best doctor for hip replacement surgery as soon as possible.
Damaged parts are resurfaced during the surgery to relieve pain and improve the standard of living. Although recovery varies from patient to patient, 2 to 3 months minimum are required approximately to resume most activities and transition back to an active lifestyle.
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