What is Total Hip Replacement: Surgery Process, Causes & Recovery

Your doctor will typically only suggest a hip replacement after other, less invasive treatments are unable to alleviate your pain or mobility symptoms. The recovery period may take as long as 12 weeks, but most individuals who've undergone a hip replacement live with it for the remainder of their lives. If you're thinking about undergoing this procedure, it's best to sit down with specialists at the top orthopedic hospital nearby, where skilled orthopedic surgeons can walk you through the process, from diagnosis to recovery, to ensure the optimal results and smoother ride to pain relief and increased mobility.

If you are about to have hip replacement surgery, wait no longer. Dial +91 9667064100 to book an appointment with our skilled orthopedic experts.

What is a Hip Replacement?

A hip replacement is a surgical procedure through which an orthopedic surgeon removes the impaired portions of your hip joint and replaces them with an artificial device (prosthesis). The surgery, known as hip arthroplasty, is usually recommended when hip pain and other symptoms seriously affect your standing, walking, or mobility.

Types of Hip Replacements

There are two major hip replacement surgeries:
 

• Total Hip Replacement (THR): In this operation, the surgeon implants a prosthetic joint in place of the entire hip joint. This involves replacing the head of the femur (thighbone) and the acetabulum (the socket of the pelvis). Total hip replacements are the most prevalent form of hip surgery.
   
• Partial Hip Replacement (PHR): This is not as frequent an operation in which not the entire hip joint is replaced, but rather a portion of the joint. Partial hip replacement is usually employed to correct some hip fractures or to eliminate certain tumor growths.

When Might You Need a Hip Replacement?

You could be a candidate for hip replacement if hip pain and associated symptoms are severely impacting your capacity to perform simple activities. Most patients attempt more conservative interventions like medication, physical therapy, or the use of mobility assistive devices like canes or walkers prior to surgery. If these have failed to yield relief, a hip replacement is indicated.
 

Some of the most frequent reasons individuals require a hip replacement are:
 

Arthritis: The leading reason for hip pain, such as:
 

• Osteoarthritis
   
• Rheumatoid arthritis
   
• Psoriatic arthritis

Other Causes that may damage the hip joint:

• Osteonecrosis (bone loss of blood supply)
   
• Trauma such as car crashes or falls
   
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI or hip impingement)
   
• Hip dysplasia
   
• Benign tumors (neoplasms)
   
• Cancer
   
• Perthes disease (hip disease in children)

If you are planning to get a hip replacement, you need to visit the best hip replacement treatment hospital in Noida, which consists of professional orthopedic professionals who can review your condition and suggest the most suitable kind of therapy for you to restore your mobility as well as living conditions.

Total Hip Replacement Surgery: How It Is Done

• Pre-operative Evaluation: Before being operated on in a total hip replacement, the patient undergoes a comprehensive medical checkup. This includes testing such as X-rays, laboratory tests, and other tests, if necessary. These tests help the surgeon know the extent of damage to the hip and how to proceed with the surgery. The overall physical condition of the patient is also assessed to gauge if they would be fit to undergo the surgery.
   
• Anesthesia: Total hip replacement is most commonly done under general anesthesia, in which the patient is put completely to sleep, or under spinal anesthesia, in which the lower half of the body is numbed but the patient remains awake and not in pain.
   
• Operative Procedure: The operation starts with a cut over the hip joint to expose the infected bone and cartilage. The doctor removes the misshapen femoral head and replaces it with a metal stem, which is implanted in the thigh bone. A metal or ceramic ball is fixed on top of the stem to serve as the new femoral head. The doctor also removes the misshapen cartilage and bone within the acetabulum (hip socket) and replaces it with a metal socket. A plastic spacer is generally left between the socket and the ball to allow unrestricted movement of the new joint.
   
• Postoperative Care: The patient is wheeled to the recovery room after the operation. Pain relief and resumption of motion are the main concerns during the recovery period. Physical therapy is gradually initiated to restore joint motion and hip strength.

Recovery After Total Hip Replacement

Recovery after total hip replacement is essential to the final success of the procedure. Recovery plays a significant role in alleviating postoperative pain and allowing mobility. Recovery relies on various conditions like the health of the patient, age, and follow-up of post-operative procedure care. To obtain best results, most importantly, it is required to have the finest hospital for hip replacement surgery where experienced orthopedic specialists give customized rehabilitation schedules and treatment sessions as per your personal requirements.

Immediate Post-Operative Care
 

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is an important aspect of recovery after surgery. The physical therapy program can consist of exercises to prevent stiffness and healing. The exercises are designed to enhance the strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the hip joint. Exercises are prescribed to the patients to restore movement and gain muscle strength in the hip area.
   
• Pain Management: Pain should be anticipated in the initial two weeks following surgery. Pain control during this time is important, and physicians usually administer pain medication to alleviate pain. With improvement, however, pain control tapers off to allow greater independence and mobility in activity. The majority of patients can return to light activity within 6 to 8 weeks following surgery. Strenuous exercises like running, sport, or weightlifting usually take months to recover from.

What You Can Expect?
 

Pre-Surgery Preparations

When you arrive at your surgery, you will be required to wear a hospital gown when you check in. You will either be given a spinal block, which numbs the lower part of your body, or a general anesthetic, which will cause you to become sleepy. Your physician might also give you a numbing shot close to the nerves or on the joint itself to minimize post-op discomfort.
 

During the Surgery
 

The surgery typically lasts about two hours. While under general anesthesia, the surgeon will:
 

• Cut through the hip to reach the joint.
   
• Remove the infected bone and cartilage but salvage the healthy bone.
   
• Place a replacement socket in the pelvis bone.
   
• Replace the top of the thighbone with a metal stem topped with a substitute ball to form the new hip joint.

After the Surgery
 

After surgery, you will be transferred to a recovery room where you will be observed while the effects of anesthesia subside. Your vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse rate, will be monitored by hospital staff, as well as observing your comfort and requirement for pain medication. You may be instructed to perform breathing exercises so that there is no fluid accumulation in your lungs. Depending on the speed of your recovery, you are able to be discharged home the same day or following a short hospital stay.

1. Blood Clot Prevention
 

Your patient is at a higher risk of developing blood clots in the legs post-surgery. To avoid this, several prevention techniques are performed:
 

• Early Mobility: You will be moved to a sitting position and will start walking with a walker or crutches as soon as possible after surgery in order to encourage circulation.
   
• Compression: Elastic compression stockings or inflatable air sleeves may be worn on your lower legs. These devices gently squeeze and release your legs to help prevent blood from pooling and reduce the chance of clot formation.
   
• Blood-Thinning Medications: Besides preventing clots, your surgeon may also prescribe thinners, which may be given as an injection or orally. Depending on how active you are and how much of a risk you pose, you may have to take thinners for several weeks after surgery.

According to the post-operative care and rehabilitation schedule prescribed, patients will undergo gradual recovery of movement and improved quality of life.

2. Physical Therapy
 

Routine exercises and activities help restore your hip joint and stabilize muscles' function following surgery. A physical therapist will instruct you in strengthening exercises and mobility to help you recover. They will instruct you in safe use of walking aids such as a cane, crutches, or walker. As your therapy continues, you will start adding more and more weight to your leg until you are walking independently without assistance.

3. Home Recovery
 

When you are ready for discharge from the hospital, you and your caregivers will be instructed on how to take care of your new hip throughout the recovery process. To make coming home easy, follow these tips:
 

• Have meals prepared in advance by someone to minimize strain while recovering.
   
• Position frequently used items at waist level to prevent reaching up or bending down.
   
• Think about having a raised toilet seat and shower chair to make daily tasks easier and more comfortable.
   
• Place phone, tissues, TV remote control, medicine, and reading matter within easy reach, particularly the place where you will spend most of your recovery time.

You may also want to opt for a medical attendant at home service, which provides trained support to assist you with personal care, mobility, medication management, and day-to-day activities during your healing journey.

Have a meeting with Best Doctors in Felix Hospitals Hip Replacement Surgery

If hip pain is interfering with your daily life and lifestyle modifications haven't worked, it's time to consult professional care. The experts at the top hospital for hip replacement surgery in Noida at Felix Hospitals are:

• Dr. Piyush Kumar Singh: Specialist in treating complicated fractures and orthopedic trauma, with expertise in hip-related conditions.
   
• Dr. Keshav Goel: Expert in foot and ankle disorders, with experience in hip joint rehabilitation.
   
• Dr. Binay Kumar Sahu: Orthopedic expert in hip rehabilitation and sports injuries.
   
• Dr. Varun Aggarwal: Expert in minimally invasive hip replacement, for joint and arthritis issues.

These skilled doctors provide customized treatment plans for hip pain, to restore mobility and improve your lifestyle.

Schedule an appointment at Felix Hospitals today and consult with our best orthopedic doctors for a treatment schedule to heal your hip pain and mobility problems.

Conclusion

Hip replacement surgery is a life-changing intervention for patients who have chronic hip pain and loss of mobility from conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or hip fracture. By replacing the compromised part of the hip joint with fabricated parts, the surgery can well alleviate pain, improve mobility, and overall quality of life. The cost of hip replacement surgery can differ based on the kind of operation, the hospital, and the geographical location.

FAQs for Hip Replacement Surgery
 

1. What is the success rate for hip replacement surgery?
Ans: The success rate of hip replacement surgery is usually extremely high, with pain relief and improvement in mobility to a significant degree in most patients. Success is influenced by several factors, such as the type of surgery, the overall health of the patient, and compliance with post-operative rehabilitation.

2. How long does a hip replacement last?
Ans: The life of the hip replacement is 15-20 years, and in some instances, implants are longer depending on the activity of the patient and the type of prosthetic. Regular follow-up visits with your orthopedic surgeon can make the implant long-lasting.

3. What are the risks of hip replacement surgery?
Ans: Although hip replacement surgery is normally safe, it does carry some risk with it, including infection, blood clots, new joint dislocation, nerve damage, or prosthetic implant problems. Talking with your surgeon about your specific risks before surgery can reduce complications.

4. How quickly will I be back to my normal activities after hip replacement surgery?
Ans: The majority of the patients can return to light activity such as walking and light housework 6-8 weeks after surgery. More strenuous activities such as running or sports may take months to resume. Physical therapy is required to recover quickly.

5. What can I expect during recovery?
Ans: The healing process includes pain management, physical therapy to restore hip motion and function, and progressive return to activity. Most patients can resume their normal activities in 3-6 months, depending on their overall health and compliance with rehabilitation guidelines.

6. How can I accelerate my recovery following surgery?
Ans: Keeping yourself active in your bounds, as advised, following your physical therapy exercises, taking a good diet, and avoiding excessive loading on the hip joint will accelerate the process of recovery. It is suggested to listen to your surgeon's instructions and make all your follow-up appointments.

7. Is hip replacement surgery insured?
Ans: Most health insurance policies do include coverage for hip replacement surgery, but the level of coverage will vary depending on the provider and the plan. It is best to call your insurance provider for details of coverage, including any out-of-pocket expenses.