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Posts Tagged ‘Hip Replacement Surgery’

There is nothing particularly new about hip replacements. They have been going on for nearly half a century now. Should you be in the position of needing to consider one then you may find this article of significant help and interest.

We will discuss here what the reasons are behind having a hip replacement, what to expect at the time of the operation and how to get yourself right as fast as possible after the operation.

Sir John Charnley an eminent English surgeon is considered to be the pioneer of hip replacement surgery. His early work developing the basis of the artificial hips used today was being done in the 1960s.

Over the past decades advances in surgical techniques and materials have seen a diversification in types of hip replacement. There are however two basic types, namely cemented and uncemented. Thie importance of this will be covered further on.

So When Should You consider Having a Hip Replacement?

It really is all to do with whether a hip replacement would improve the quality of your life. You may well need to discuss matters with your physician or surgeon in order to ascertain whether having a hip replacement wil help you.

Why Do People Need Hip Replacements?

The most common reason behind needing a hip replacement is arthritis of the hip, primarily osteo-arthritis. Over time the joint wears and is less able to perform its role.

Signs and Symptoms of Hip Degeneration

Sufferers of hip degeneration often walk with a noticeable limp, commonly leaning to the painful side as they take weight on the hip in question. Movements at the joint, particularly backwards (extension), sideways (abduction) and the rotary movements become painful and limited. Pain is often described as a deep ache which can be felt in the buttock, hip, thigh and knee.

Surgery

There are many variations in the actual surgery and different surgeons prefer different techniques. The basis of the surgery is the removal of the degenerate head of the femur and the to replace it with the prosthetic implant together with a new socket or acetabulum in the pelvis. This creates a totally new articular structure commonly called A TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT or THR.

What To Expect After Surgery

After your operation it is likely that you will have drains to remove any bleeding from the hip. You are also likely be on some form of analgesia and possibly blood thinning medication.

You will likely be encouraged by your physical therapist to do soime simple bed exercises to maintain good circulation and aid your recovery very soon after your operation.Within the first two days of surgery you will normally be helped by your therapist to get out of bed and walk.Initially this is likely to be small distances but this will increase gradually over time. You will probably require crutches or even a frame initially but as you get more confident over the coming days and weeks you will be able to discard these on the advise of your therapist.

If you have an uncemented hip you will be advised to probably use your crutches to reduce the amount of weight your hip has to take for the first six weeks. A cemented hip however is able to take your full body weight the first time you can get up so it will be up to you and your therapist how long you continue with walking aids for.

After surgery you will be encouraged to walk regularly and correctly. This has for a long time been considered the very best way of rehabilitating after a hip replacement. Specific exercise regimes are not usually advocated after a hip replacement.

It is important that you avoid certain positions and actions to avoid the possibility of a dislocation of your hip. Crossing your legs or excessive bending at the hip is not advised. Both of these positions especially if they are done together and particularly so with weight on the leg are considered to be the positions most likely to result in a dislocation.

It is also possible that your operated leg will feel as if it is longer than the other one. This is not necessarily the case and this sensation will commonly disappear over the coming months.

Patients are routinely advised to wear anti-embolism stockings for the first six weeks to reduce the possibility of an embolism. Although relatively rare they can be life threatening and feeling breathless or unwell may be a sign that you are suffering form such a condition. If this is the case medical attention should be sought as an emergency.

Other than this over the coming months you can look forward to gradually increasing your walking and functional activities, You can swim as soon as your scar has healed, walk, play golf, dance and be as active as you are able. Aggressive sports of a high intensity and of a contact or jarring nature are not recommended however.

Don’t forget it can be a good few months and even up to two years in cases especially if you have had an uncemented hip before you reach your true potential again. So patience is a must.

Hip replacement surgery is no fun, especially the fifth time around. Let me explain. At first my husband had his right hip replaced. After surgery, he went to rehab for a couple of weeks and when he came home he was fairly self-sufficient. A year later he had the left hip replaced. Having been through surgery just a year prior he knew what to do to speed up his recovery. We were happy to have the surgeries behind us and glad we did them. My husband could walk without the terrible pain in his hips. We of course thought this was the end of hip surgeries.

Approximately 8 years later my husband called me from work because he had terrible chills and wanted me to bring him a sweater. By the time I got to him he was not making much sense so I took him directly to the emergency room of our local hospital. After several hours it was determined he had a serious staph infection ( not MRSA fortunately) in his left hip. The doctors still don’t know what caused it. He needed to have the left prostheses removed and be on antibiotics for 6 weeks. This surgery left him without a hip joint and he was unable to move his left leg. Also, being 8 years older than when he had his first surgery, he was not quite as strong as he was back then. He could not get around as well by himself as the first time around. We needed additional gadgets to help with every day tasks.

Getting in and out of the car was an ordeal because he had to twist and bend to get onto the seat. At first we put a plastic bag on the seat to make it more slippery but it kept crumbling up and falling on the floor. I finally discovered a seat that swivels and a handy bar gadget to put in the car door frame to hold on to as an aid in getting into the car (both inexpensive). Getting in and out of the car became easier and less painful.

After three months we scheduled surgery to get a new hip joint. Unfortunately the infection came back, and he had to have surgery again to wash out the infection and wait four more months for surgery without a hip joint.

Finally he had surgery, but had to wear a brace for 3 months which again limited his mobility. During that time I embarked on a search for inexpensive products to help improve his mobility and give me a break. I also found some entertaining things to do to maintain our sanity during nine months of constant togetherness. Today, he is walking with the use of a walker and the brace will be removed next month. Meanwhile, the arthritis in my hands is causing me some issues, so I think I need to find some nifty little gadgets to help me out!

If you have found yourself in a situation whereby you need a little bit of help with mobility challenges, please visit my website where you will find unique, inexpensive gadgets to help get in and out of the car, help in the bedroom and bathroom and some fun things to do.

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A total hip replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased cartilage and bone of the hip joint is surgically replaced with artificial materials. A total hip replacement (THR) – also called a hip arthroplasty.

A standard hip replacement operation takes 2-3 hours. The patient may be given a choice of general, spinal, or epidural anesthesia.

An incision is made of 8-12 in (20-30 cm) long down the side of the patient’s upper thigh. The surgeon may then choose to enter the joint itself from the side, back, or front. The back approach is the most common. The ligaments and muscles under the skin are then separated.

Once inside the joint, the surgeon separates the head of the femur from the acetabulum and removes the head. The doctor removes the head from the femur (thigh bone) and reams away the surface of the socket.

The modular prosthetic hip replacement system used today has three components – the femoral stem, the femoral head, and the acetabulum. Each component has multiple available sizes which allow for a custom fit. The components are made of cobalt chrome stainless steel and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Prosthesis implantation may be cemented or cementless (press-fit).

After selecting the correct size for the patient, the surgeon inserts the acetabular component. The acetabulum is then reamed to accept a plastic cup. The ball and socket are then replaced into normal position. Both of these implants can be fastened into the bone with or without special cement.

Today, both cementless (also called uncemented and porous-coated) and cemented hip replacements offer patients effective, long-term relief.

1. Cemented Procedure:

The cemented procedure utilizes a doughy substance mixed at the time of surgery that is introduced between the artificial component and the bone. This type of fixation in total hips remains the gold standard. Depending upon their health and bone density, people over the age of 60 will receive this type of joint fixation.

2. Noncemented Procedure:

Despite its common use, not all individuals are candidates for a cemented hip. A tight bond of scar tissue if formed, which anchors the metal to the bone. This is called a cementless total hip replacement. This type surgery is technically more sensitive, requiring a more exact fit of the metal component to the femur. The surgeon then secures a metal head (ball) and stem into the femur either by a press fit or with bone cement. The doctor places the ball into the cup and takes your new hip through a range of motion to ensure proper stability and mobility.

You will then be sent to the recovery room where your health care team will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

The cost of a total hip implant varies, depending on the type of implant used. Typically, a total hip procedure includes four major implant components and the total implant price ranges from $4000 to $6000 (USD). Standard total hip replacement surgery is generally covered by most insurance plans.

In wockhartdt hospital, Mumbai for hip resurfacing cost will be approximately as under:

In India ($) 8,500 or USA ($) 55,000 or UK (GBP) 15,000

There are approximately 150,000 artificial hip joints implanted annually in the United States, with the success rate over 90%. New materials used in total hip replacement are very durable and are expected to last more than 10 years in 90% of individuals receiving total hips.

Total hip replacement, hip resurfing and other most advanced computer navigated joint replacement surgery is done at well know and JCI accreditation hospitals in India such as Apollo Hospital in Mumbai, Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, Apollo Speciality Hospital in Chennai, MOIT hospital, Chennai etc. which compares with the USA & U.K.

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures performed in the world, with more than 350,000 operations per year in the United States alone.

Reducing Hip Replacement Costs

Today, you can have the best surgery, and also benefit from hugely reduced costs.

By having your hip replacement operation abroad, you can use the cost savings to enjoy a relaxing holiday.

Before we look at the cost savings, let’s look at the hip replacement operation and why it is necessary.

Hip Replacement Procedure

Recent developments in hip replacement surgery have seen the operation become a safe and reliable method to treat severe hip arthritis pain.

Hip replacement surgery (known also as arthroplasty) is usually undertaken when osteoarthritis has resulted in the wearing down of the hip joint.

In a hip replacement operation, the worn out and arthritic parts of the hip joint are taken out and a new artificial (prosthesis) hip joint is inserted.

Successful hip replacement surgery improves mobility, by improving the function of the hip joint and reducing the discomfort felt by the patient.

How Hip Replacement Surgery is performed

Hip replacement surgery involves removing the ball and socket of the arthritic hip joint.

The surgeon removes the top part of the thighbone (femur), and an implant fits within the central canal of the thighbone.

The surgeon then removes the remaining excess cartilage and bone from the socket part of the joint (within the pelvis), and replaces it with a new socket, allowing free movement at the new joint.

What does it Cost?

The cost of hip replacement in a UK private hospital or clinic is around

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