Hip Prosthesis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the major causes of knee inflammation leading to stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility. In some cases, one may experience hip pain due to severe Osteoarthritis of the knee.
Moderate hip Osteoarthritis can be tamed by regular exercises, according to a study that was published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Medications and therapy can also help relieve pain and to extend the requirement for a hip replacement surgery in the future.
What is a Hip Replacement Surgery?
A replacement surgery is a procedure where an orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged, painful, or a diseased hip joint and replaces it with an artificial knee, described as an implant. The hip implants are able to relieve pain, help a patient return to his or her normal work and they commonly last for 20 or more years.
Normally, the artificial joint is made from metal and plastic components to provide the desired stability after a hip replacement surgery in India.
The Hip Replacement Surgery
- This orthopedic surgical procedure differs from one patient to another, depending on the surgical needs and the type of surgery.
- On the actual day of the surgery, the patient must undergo various checkups to review the blood pressure, body temperature, oxygen levels, and the heart rate. In case everything is normal the surgeon will proceed with the surgery.
- General anesthesia is administered to a patient, which will automatically put him or her to sleep during the entire surgical procedure OR regional anesthesia and a relaxant may be used.
- Depending on the surgeon’s observation, the hip replacement surgery can either be performed with the help of a traditional technique or the
minimally invasive approach. The main difference between these two surgical approaches is the size of the incisions made. - The surgeon will then make an incision along the side of the hip or at the back, cutting through the soft tissue and the muscle to expose the hip joint.
- The surgeon will then remove the head of the femur from the acetabulum, which is a socket in the pelvis. The femoral head is eliminated using a bone saw.
- The surgeon will then prepare the acetabulum for a prosthesis. The artificial joint is then placed into the thighbone using a special material or a cement to facilitate bonding of the remaining joint to the new joint.
- The surface of the hipbone is prepared by removing the damaged cartilage and a replacement socket part is attached. Later on, the new ball part of the thighbone is fixed into the socket part of the hip.
- A drain may then be placed to drain any fluid and after that, the surgeon will reattach the muscles and close the incisions.
After the Hip Replacement Surgery
- Due to technological advancement, many hip replacement procedures are a one-day surgery and require one to stay in the hospital for only 24 hours.
- With other surgical approaches, you will probably stay in the hospital for 5 to 7 days or as may be required.
- A walker, a cane or a crutch is recommended after the surgery to help in movements.
- Physical therapy is vital after the surgery and it normally begins on the second day after your surgery.
Hip Replacement Surgery Cost
The average hip replacement surgery cost in India is Rs. 400,000, but may increase depending on;
- The type of surgery
- Hospital
- Type of implant
- Surgeon’s expertise
Is the procedure safe?
A hip replacement surgery requires high expertise and experience from the surgeon’s side to make the procedure free from complication issues. However, hip replacement surgeries have been improved over the time providing a better life for patients. Immediate side effects include
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Reactions to anesthesia
Other complications or side effects include;
- Infection
- Nerve injury
- Loosening of the implant with time
