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Hip Replacement

What is Hip Replacement?
Hip replacement or hip arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which the doctor removes and replaces hip joint with pain or arthritis with artificial joint made of metals and plastic components. It is usually done when all other non-surgical treatment options fails to provide pain relief.

The Procedure
Hip replacement surgery procedure can be performed traditionally or by a minimally-invasive technique. The following are the steps of a standard hip replacement surgery:

• At first local anesthesia will be given to the patient.
• Then the surgeon will make a cut along the side of the hip and expose the hip joint by moving the muscles connected to the top of the thighbone.
• After that the surgeon will remove the ball portion of the joint by cutting the thigh bone with a saw.
• The surgeon then attaches an artificial joint made of metal and plastic components to the thighbone. Using a special material he makes the remaining bone to attach to the new joint.
• Then the surgeon will prepare the surface of the hip bone by removing the damaged cartilage and attaching the replacement socket part to the hip bone.
• The new ball part of the thigh bone is then inserted into the socket part of the hip and drains the fluid.
• Finally, the surgeon will reattach the muscles and closes the incision.

Types of Hip Replacement

• Revision hip replacement: This procedure is performed to replace worn out, painful, infected or loose prosthesis. The purpose of the surgery is to improve function relieve pain and enhance overall quality of life.
• Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement: Standard hip replacement surgeries will have an incision of 8 to 10 inch along the side of the hip and that of a minimally invasive technique the size of the incision will be only 2 to 5 inches long. So the procedure can be done through small with less blood loss.
• Oxinium Hip Replacement: Oxinium is a material used for joint replacements which consists of zirconium alloy metal substrate. These will transit into ceramic zirconium oxide on the outer surface. This ceramic surface is extremely abrasion resistant compared to traditional metal implants like cobalt chromium implants.
• otal Hip Replacement: In this procedure both the damaged surfaces of the hip joint are replaced with prosthetic substances
• Surface replacements: This is a conservative artificial joint replacement where the preserved bone is sculpted to accept a metal cap with a short stem.

Pros and Cons of Hip Replacement

Pros:

• Less damage to major muscles
• Less post operative pain Fast recovery
• Decreased risk of hip dislocation
• Better range of movement
• Shorter hospital stay

Cons:

• There is a potential risk of nerve damage
• There may be wound healing issues
• Change in leg length
• Certain positions may cause the ball of the implant to dislocate
• In rare cases the new implants may not become solidly fixed to the bone or may loosen over time

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Authored By: Dr. S. V. Santpure