I. Preface
A severe hip joint lesion will lead to hip pain, limited mobility and affect daily life. Through artificial hip joint replacement, the pain can be relieved or alleviated and the ability to perform daily activities can be restored.
Second, the structure of the hip joint
The human hip joint is composed of a spherical femoral head and a 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. Li Xiaohui, Department of Joint Surgery, Tianjin Hospital
Third, artificial hip joint
The structure of artificial hip joint is the same as that of human hip joint, which usually includes polymer polyethylene lining, acetabular outer cup, femoral head and femoral stalk, and the femoral stalk is inserted into the femoral bone marrow cavity to achieve stability.
Fourth, 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 for long-term pain medication.
(3) Restore the normal function of the hip joint.
V. Hospital examination
When you are admitted to the hospital, you must undergo the following examinations.
(1) Consultation and physical examination
(2) Chest x-ray
(3) Knee x-ray
(4) Blood test
(5) Urine test
(6)Electrocardiogram.
VI. Precautions before surgery
In order to make the operation go smoothly and to recover health quickly from the operation.
(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 your body to prevent infection
(5) Do not give injections or scrapes on the affected limb
(6) Cut nails flat
VII. Post-surgery care in the recovery room
When you wake up in the recovery room after surgery, you may feel cold and have weakness and light headache, followed by gradual pain in the wound. The recovery room nurse will provide the following care for the patient.
1) Place a pillow between the legs to avoid dislocation of the artificial hip joint due to inversion of the hip joint after surgery
2) Take blood pressure, respiration and pulse
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 stabilized, the patient will be accompanied by relatives back to the ward and continue to receive care from the medical staff.
Post-surgical care in the ward
1) Every two hours, the nurse or family members will assist in turning the patient 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.
such as brushing teeth. Eating. Combing grooming, etc.
3) Wound drainage tube should be left in place for about 1 to 2 days and then removed.
4) Change of position and relaxation techniques can reduce wound pain.
5) Keep the wound clean and dry after surgery.
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.
X. Precautions after discharge from hospital
1.For six weeks after the operation, pay attention to keep the legs slightly open, do not cross the legs when sitting or lying down, sit with the knees at the same height as the hip, and put a pillow between the knees when sleeping or lying on the side.
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 things 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 walker for 3 months, and pay attention not to put full weight on the affected limb or stand alone with the affected foot within 3 months.
5. Keep the wound clean and dry, and take a shower 3~4 weeks after surgery.
7. In case of tooth extraction, cold or other illnesses, inform the physician that the artificial hip joint has been replaced so that antibiotics can be given to prevent infection.
8.When your health 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.Review regularly according to the physician’s instructions.
Redness, swelling, heat and pain, abnormal purulent discharge, swelling and dislocation of the affected limb (unequal length of the two lower limbs, pain and restricted movement).