Understanding Hip Replacement Surgery

“Hip replacement surgery is the second most common joint replacement procedure, closely following knee replacements. Many people have hip arthritis, but it can be difficult to know when the right time to have a hip replacement surgery is. Furthermore, there is confusion about what to expect from hip replacement surgery. Do you have questions? Look no further. You can find all you need to know about hip replacement surgery right here.” (www.verywellhealth.com)

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“During standard hip replacement surgery, you are given general anesthesia to relax your muscles and put you into a temporary deep sleep. This will prevent you from feeling any pain during the surgery or have any awareness of the procedure. A spinal anesthetic may be given to help prevent pain as an alternative.

The doctor will then make a cut along the side of the hip and move the muscles connected to the top of the thighbone to expose the hip joint. Next, the ball portion of the joint is removed by cutting the thighbone with a saw. Then an artificial joint is attached to the thighbone using either cement or a special material that allows the remaining bone to attach to the new joint.

The doctor then prepares the surface of the hipbone -- removing any damaged cartilage -- and attaches the replacement socket part to the hipbone. The new ball part of the thighbone is then inserted into the socket part of the hip. A drain may be put in to help drain any fluid. The doctor then reattaches the muscles and closes the incision.” (www.WebMD.com)

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“A partial hip replacement removes and replaces the ball of the hip joint. It does not replace the socket. This surgery is most often done to repair certain types of hip fractures. The ceramic or metal ball is attached to a metal stem. This is called a hip implant. The stem is set down into the core of the thighbone (femur). It is firmly fixed in the femur in one of two ways: Cemented to the bone; or, uncemented.” (www.uofmhealth.org.)

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“There are two distinct categories of hip replacement candidates: older individuals who suffer from age-related bone and joint degeneration, and younger people who suffer from various types of genetic dispositions.” (www.saintcamillusmedicalcenter.com)

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If you are suffering from signs of a hip condition such as frequent limping, chronic pain in or near the hip, reduced range of hip motion, off warm sensations in the hip, and/or swelling or tenderness in the hip, search the web for “hospitals near me” to consult with a proper orthopedic doctor concerning the matter.