Seven signs you need a hip replacement surgery

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If your hip is causing you pain, you know how much of an impact it can have on your life. Your mobility may be reduced and you may not be able to enjoy or participate in some of your favorite activities. It can also affect your mental health.

In some cases, pain medications can help relieve the pain. However, in other cases, hip replacement surgery may be required.

Hip replacement surgery is performed when the hip joint is worn or damaged for a variety of reasons and a surgeon advises that it is best to replace the ball joint with a prosthesis.

As per the latest report published by the Indian Society of Hip and Knee Surgeries Registry, a total of 10,407 hip replacements were reported from October 2006 to March 2017 by 150 surgeons.

What is Hip Replacement Surgery?

Hip Replacement is a surgical procedure in which a prosthetic implant often called hip prosthesis replaces the hip joint. The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a metal shaft that is inserted into the hollow center of the femur. 

The femoral shaft can be cemented or “snapped” into the bone and a  metal or ceramic ball is placed on top of the stem. This ball replaces the damaged femoral head that was removed. 

The damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket. Sometimes screws or cement are used to hold the tray in place.

A plastic, ceramic, or metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and the bushing to allow a smooth sliding surface.The goal of the procedure is that you can resume your daily activities and exercises with less pain.

What factors can lead to Hip Replacement Surgery?

The most common cause of long-term hip pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.

• Osteoarthritis is an age-related “wear and tear” type of arthritis. Typically, it affects people over 50 and those with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip wears away.

• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune sickness wherein the synovial membrane will become infected and thickened. This persistent infection can harm the cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness.

• Traumatic arthritis may follow a fracture or a critical hip injury. The cartilage might also additionally emerge as broken and result in hip ache and stiffness over time.

How do you know you may need hip replacement surgery? 

You might need hip replacement surgery if you have some of the following symptoms, although some can vary. It is very important that you consult an orthopedist first to get a diagnosis if you have any of the symptoms below.

Severe pain in hip

The most important and debilitating indication that you may require a hip replacement surgery is severe pain by physical exercise or any physical activity, it may be the sign of a weak hip joint. Additionally, experiencing excessive strain also indicates the weakness of the abdomen and hips. 

Hip Stiffness

Stiffness is another indication that your hip may be severely injured and require hip replacement surgery. If you are experiencing joint stiffness that makes walking or bending your hip joint difficult, or if you can’t lift your leg, consult an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible.

Chronic pain

If you don’t get relief from your chronic pain after taking medicine for a long time, it may indicate a hip disorder. Consulting a hip replacement surgeon on time will help you prevent severe complications.

Perceptible changes and sounds

If you notice changes on the outer surface of your hip like redness and swelling caused by inflammation or if  you hear sounds like grinding or popping while moving your hip- this is called crepitus. If any of these symptoms are causing you discomfort, pain or worry then see your hip replacement surgeon.

Bodyweight not supported on one leg

There is a short test you can do at home called the one-leg test which can give you an idea of whether you need to consult a hip replacement specialist.

When doing this test ensure there is someone else around in case you need help. For balance, hold onto a chair or door frame with one hand, then lift the leg on the side of your body that doesn’t have hip pain off the ground.

If you can’t support yourself on your other leg, you may have a problem with the hip on that side of your body.

Reduced physical mobility

If your hip pain has reduced your mobility and this prevents you from working, you may also face some mental strain. If such pain and reduced mobility persists for a long time it can result in depression and anxiety.

If you feel that your mental health has been affected by such symptoms, consult your doctor on priority.

Hip and groin pain while resting

Sometimes a problem with your hip joint can cause hip and groin pain. such pain can occur when you are active and when you are resting either day or night. It can make it very difficult for you to walk beyond very short distances or make you limp.

Hip pain can also make it difficult to do other daily activities, such as getting up and down stairs or getting out of bed.

Basic Consideration while choosing hip replacement surgery

• You will require a walker, crutches, or a cane around you for a few days during your recovery.

• Your surgeon may advise you to quit driving for a few days or longer depending on how long you take pain medications and when your full strength is recovered.

• You may need to avoid a few things for the first 6-8 weeks, but always follow your hip replacement surgeon’s advice. Do not cross your legs at the knees, do not lean forward when sitting, Avoid bending over when sitting; do not rotate your feet in or out when bending over.

Orthopaedic Analysis

An analysis with an orthopaedic surgeon consists of numerous components:

• Medical history. Your orthopaedic surgeon will gather information about your general health and ask questions about the extent of your hip pain and how it affects your ability to perform everyday activities.
• Physical examination. This will evaluate hip mobility, strength, and adjustment.
• X-rays. The X-ray images help to determine the extent of damage or abnormality in your hip.
• Other tests. Occasionally other tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, may be needed to determine the condition of the bone and soft tissues of your hip.

Amandeep Hospital: Best Multispeciality Hospital in Amritsar

We have highly proficient and well-experienced hip replacement surgeons at our Multispeciality Hospital. If you are facing any hip-related issues please contact our hip replacement surgeons to schedule an appointment to get the most excellent care.

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