Hip replacement surgery helps one live a more active and fulfilling life. It doesn’t cause any permanent restrictions. This medical intervention or procedure is for a person whose life is already restricted or limited due to chronic and intense hip pain
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After surgery, the patient’s hip joint function improves and they can walk, climb stairs, exercise and move the hip without any pain and discomfort. They experience a higher level of pain-free mobility, which enhances their overall quality of life!
Let’s learn about hip replacement surgery along with other relevant information below.
What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?
This is a surgery in which a surgeon removes damaged parts from the hip and then resurfaces those parts with the components of an implant. The implant is made up of metal and plastic.
The main components of a hip replacement implant are as follows.
- Acetabular Cup
- Polyethylene Liner
- Femoral Head
- Femoral Stem
This surgical treatment is done to relieve chronic pain, improve joint function and enable the patient to live a more active and better life.
When Does One Need This Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery isn’t just limited to senior citizens. Young adults can also require this treatment.
The following are the major causes of chronic hip pain.
Osteoarthritis: Cartilage is part of every joint in the body. It is a soft-tissue cover that is found over a bone end. When this cartilage gets damaged and thus bone spurs develop, a joint becomes stiff, painful and immobile or difficult to move about. The condition is called osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis or OA can happen to any joint including the hip.
Cartilage damage usually occurs due to long age-related wear and tear. However, it can also develop after an intense injury. In that case, it is known as post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is an autoimmune disorder. Under RA, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues. This condition causes widespread joint inflammation throughout the body.
RA affects a joint by inflaming the synovium–the joint lining or a membrane that produces joint lubricant, which is also known as synovial fluid. The membrane gets chronically inflamed and thus produces more fluid than normal. The increased joint lubricant leads to joint damage and debilitating pain.
This way, RA can also impact the hip and cause disability.
Osteonecrosis: Death of bone tissues due to loss of blood supply is called osteonecrosis. This condition is often known as AVN or Avascular Necrosis. AVN usually occurs in the ball part of the hip. As a result, the bone dies and completely collapses. This condition causes pain and mobility issues.
Deformities: Typically, a young adult needs hip replacement surgery because of a hip deformity; in other words, their natural hip parts aren’t developed properly that is why they need a medical intervention to make corrections.
One can have a hip deformity by birth or develop it during growth years. Hip abnormalities typically result in arthritis early in life.
For example, a person might have a smaller socket than the ball which can lead to impingement. As a result, cartilage will wear out and tiny bony growths will form over time, leading to osteoarthritis and chronic hip pain.
Does This Surgery Cause Any Permanent Restrictions?
No, it has no permanent restrictions at all!
If a doctor has recommended hip replacement surgery, it means your life already has permanent restrictions right now. For example, due to chronic and severe hip pain, you cannot even walk a few steps down the floor without pain and discomfort in the hip.
So, you are right now living life with permanent restrictions! The permanent cure for debilitating and long-lasting hip pain is hip replacement surgery.
After the surgery, you will be able to get rid of all hip mobility restrictions or limitations and start living a more active life.
Consider the following benefits of this surgery.
- Permanent Pain Relief
- Improved Function
- Prevention Of Further Hip Damage
- Active Lifestyle
- Independence
- Better Social Life
- Better Physical Health
- Improved Mental Health
- Enhanced Quality Of Life
- Correction Of Abnormality
After surgery, the patient gets rid of the pain permanently. The surgeon has taken out damaged parts from the hip before placing artificial parts. This results in improved joint function and regain of better mobility.
Once a hip condition is treated with surgery, the joint will not be damaged any further. For example, when chronic arthritis is left untreated, the hip joint sustains more and more damage over time.
Now, the patient can lead an active lifestyle without any hip pain. It allows one to experience a higher level of independence as they can go wherever they want to go. Ultimately, hip replacement surgery leads to a better social life, physical and mental well-being and quality living.
The surgery also helps correct hip deformities. This is the most crucial advantage for many young adults, who are suffering from hip abnormalities.
Post-Operative Care
After hip replacement surgery, the following care is ensured.
Recovery Room: you will be taken to the recovery room. You will stay there until the effects of anaesthesia wear out and full consciousness has been regained.
Blood Clot Prevention: Medical staff at your care will assist you in walking as soon as possible. They will encourage and help you to mobilise your hip joint. Walking is crucial after surgery because it helps prevent the formation of blood clots.
Pain & Infection Management: Painkillers are prescribed to help patients manage pain immediately after the surgery. With that, antibiotics are also used to prevent infections.
Physiotherapy: This therapy is a crucial part of rehabilitation. Physiotherapy involves special exercises, hand manoeuvres and prevention education. The main aim of physiotherapy is to strengthen muscles around the joint and improve function.
Check-Ups: After surgery, follow-up care is also ensured. Once discharged from the hospital, you will have to revisit your surgeon to remove stitches after 14 days. Afterwards, if your surgeon wants, you might have to ensure a few more visits or check-ups as well.
To learn about the recovery timeline, read the following article: hip replacement surgery recovery time.
Conclusion
No, hip replacement surgery doesn’t cause any permanent restrictions.
People need this surgery when chronic hip pain has started interfering with their lives severely. In other words, hip pain has almost made them physically disabled. Walking or doing essential tasks, work or chores seems more and more difficult day by day.
This surgery has two benefits. First, it offers permanent relief from chronic pain. Second, it improves joint function. Thus, this treatment results in better hip mobility and increased quality of life.
In short, if you suffer from too much hip pain, the surgery will help. You will get rid of the restrictive life and embrace the freedom of pain-free walking!
To connect with the best hip specialist, access the following link: top 10 best hip replacement surgeon in India.
