A severe hip joint lesion will result in hip pain, limited mobility, and disruption of daily living. Through artificial hip replacement, the pain can be relieved or alleviated and the ability to perform daily activities can be restored.
I. Structure of the hip joint
The human hip joint is composed of the spherical femoral head and the cup-shaped acetabulum, which is the joint formed by the thigh bone (femur) and the pelvis, surrounded by the joint capsule, muscles and ligaments, and is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body. The surface of the femoral head and the inner surface of the acetabulum are covered with smooth cartilage, and the synovial membrane secretes joint fluid to reduce friction.
Second, artificial hip joint
The structure of the artificial hip joint is the same as that of the human hip joint, which usually includes a polymer polyethylene liner, an acetabular outer cup, the femoral head and the femoral stem, which is inserted into the femoral bone marrow cavity to achieve stability.
Third, why replace the artificial joint
Once the hip joint is diseased, the cartilage of the joint surface will be severely worn and damaged, or even deformed and cause pain, resulting in limited mobility in daily life. Common causes include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic necrosis of the femoral head and femoral neck fracture. The damaged femoral head is surgically removed and the acetabular surface is replaced with an artificial hip joint. After surgery, the following improvements can be achieved.
1. No more pain in the joint.
2.No need to take long-term painkillers.
3.Restore the normal function of the hip joint.
4. Hospital examination
When you are admitted to the hospital, you must undergo the following examinations.
1.Interrogation and physical examination.
2.Chest X-ray.
3.Knee x-ray.
4.Blood test.
5.Urinal fluid examination.
6.Electrocardiogram.
V. Precautions before surgery
In order to make the surgery go smoothly and to recover health quickly from the surgery.
1.Do not take adult drugs indiscriminately.
2. Drink more water to prevent urinary tract infection.
3.Do not smoke and do not drink alcohol.
4, clean body to prevent infection.
5.Do not give injections or scrapes on the affected limbs.
6.Flat nail clipping.
VI. Care in the recovery room after surgery
When you wake up in the recovery room after surgery, you may feel cold and have weakness and light headache, and then gradually feel painful wounds.
1.Place a pillow between the legs to avoid dislocation of the artificial hip joint caused by the inward movement of the hip joint after surgery.
2.Measuring blood pressure, respiration and pulse rate.
3. Encourage the patient to breathe deeply and cough.
4.Measure fluid volume, urine volume and wound drainage.
5.If the wound is painful, give painkillers according to medical advice.
6.After the condition is stable, the patient will be accompanied by relatives and sent back to the ward to continue to receive care from the medical staff.
VII. Care in the ward after surgery
1.The nurse or family members will assist in turning once every two hours and place a pillow between the legs to keep the affected limb abducted.
2.On the first day after surgery, the bed can be swung upward about 60 degrees, and the patient can do some things in bed, such as brushing teeth, eating, grooming, etc.
3.Wound drainage tube should be left in place for 1-2 days and then removed.
4.Change of posture and relaxation techniques can reduce the wound pain, and if necessary, oral or injectable painkillers can be administered according to medical advice.
5.After surgery, the wound can be kept clean and dry.
Post-surgical rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of the artificial hip joint after surgery is mainly to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint and restore the mobility of the hip joint until the patient can take care of himself. The physiotherapist will teach the patient how to train the muscles around the hip joint, how to get into and out of bed, sit in a wheelchair, practice standing, use a walker or crutches to walk and go up and down stairs, etc.
IX. Precautions after discharge from hospital
1, six weeks after surgery, pay attention to keep the legs slightly open, do not cross the legs when sitting or lying down, sit with the knee at the same height as the hip, sleep or lie on the side with a pillow between the knees.
2. In order to limit the bending of the hip, you can buy a toilet bowl elevator and a long-handled object to facilitate picking up objects on the ground.
3.Don’t do actions that make the hip joint forceful, such as excessive bending, lifting heavy objects, running and jumping. After three months, you can gradually resume activities such as upper body exercises, swimming, golfing and riding on a golf cart.
4. Continue to use crutches for 3 months (switch to single crutch after 6 weeks of double crutch use), or use a walker for 3 months, noting that the affected limb should not be fully weight-bearing or stand on its own with the affected foot within 3 months.
5. keep the wound clean and dry, and shower 3-4 weeks after surgery.
7. In case of tooth extraction, cold or other diseases, inform the physician that the artificial hip joint has been replaced so that antibiotics can be given to prevent infection.
8.When physical condition permits, you can return to work in 3 months depending on the nature of your work.
9. You can resume driving and sexual life after 6 weeks.
10.Regular review according to the physician’s instructions, if the following conditions, please return to the hospital for examination.
(1) redness, swelling, heat and pain in the affected area, with abnormal purulent discharge.
(2) swelling of the affected limb, dislocation of the two lower limbs, pain and restricted movement.
(3) abnormal sound or sudden pain in the affected limb and difficulty in walking.