Hip replacement, also known as total hip arthroplasty, is a surgery that is conducted to replace a damaged or worn-out hip joint. This process is performed by an orthopedic surgeon to relieve you from stiffness and pain mostly caused due to hip arthritis.
Hip replacement surgery is recommended only when all other medications fail. Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Osteonecrosis are some of the major conditions why you need to go through hip replacement surgery.
Reasons you should go for a hip replacement surgery
Osteoarthritis is the most common reason why you need hip replacement surgery. It causes the loss of joint cartilage in the hip. Damage in the joint cartilage may lead to less movement and can cause pain. Arthritis that emerges from a hip injury and may require hip replacement surgery. Hip replacements are sometimes also used to treat a hip fracture that occured from a fall.
Pain medicines, physical therapy, limiting painful activities, and anti-inflammatory medicines, are some medical treatments the doctor might suggest. However, when all these medications and treatments fail to reduce your joint pain, doctors may recommend you to go for hip replacement surgery.
Risks associated with hip replacement surgery
Complications are there in all types of surgeries. Hence, there are a few risks that are associated with hip replacement surgeries.
Infection
Bleeding
Nerve injury that causes numbness and weakness
Dislocation
Need for another hip surgery
Blood clots in the lungs or the legs
Some other risks may include different leg lengths after the surgery, damage to the surrounding joint structure, femur fracture, and loosening of the prosthetic.
How long does it take to recover from a Hip Replacement Surgery?
Most patients notice a change in their hip very shortly after the surgery. You may feel the pain for the first 2 to 4 weeks post-surgery. In this case, you need to take medicines to reduce the pain in your hip. There will be follow-up appointments after every two weeks till you get completely fine. It is very common to get tired following a hip replacement surgery. The tiredness is due to the blood loss and the pain which you had to undergo for quite a long time.
A total of 6 weeks are required to get back to your normal activities. Within 12 weeks after the surgery, you will be able to resume all your recreational activities such as long walks, playing cricket, cycling, driving cars, and so on. In some patients, it may also take up to 6 months to completely heal from the hip replacement surgery.
Have queries or concern ?
What are the outcomes after your surgery?
After your surgery, you may feel some numbness around the incision area. You may also feel stiffness when you try to bend. These are minor things that may reduce with time. The artificial hip will be made from plastic and metal components. Hence, your new hip may activate the metal detectors used in various public places. In this case, talk to the security agencies to resolve the matter.
Also, exercise daily to maintain the strength of your hip. Avoid tripping and falling as it may require more surgeries. It is necessary to visit your orthopedic surgeon often for a routine checkup. If you visit a dentist, make sure you talk to him about your hip replacement. It is also necessary to talk to your orthopedic surgeon regarding any antibiotics that you need to take before any dental procedures.
Conclusion
Hip replacement surgery will help you to get rid of the tremendous pain that you tolerate due to hip arthritis or other conditions. The pain after the surgery is less as compared to the prior one. This pain takes very little time to recover. Make sure you follow all the instructions given by the doctor for your speedy recovery. Whenever you feel any pain in your hip, visit a doctor and get treated.
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