Total hip arthroplasty has become one of the most successful and reliable surgical procedures in orthopedics, bringing relief to countless patients suffering from hip pain. In the United States alone, 120,000 patients a year receive a total hip replacement with satisfactory results.
Here are some tips on total hip arthroplasty
I. What is total hip replacement?
The hip joint is one of the largest and most stable joints in the human body. It consists of the femoral head, acetabulum and femoral neck forming the joint, which is connected to the femur below. Total hip arthroplasty, also known as hip arthroplasty, refers to the surgical removal of the diseased component of the hip joint and its replacement with a new artificial component – what we call an artificial prosthesis (according to the composition of the hip joint, there are acetabular and femoral prostheses), with the aim of relieving hip pain and improving hip function.
Second, who is suitable for total hip arthroplasty?
Various diseases that cause hip pain and are not effective after conservative treatment
Degenerative osteoarthritis; ankylosing spondylitis involving the hip joint; rheumatoid arthritis; traumatic arthritis; congenital hip dysplasia; advanced ischemic femoral head necrosis; femoral neck fracture in old age (>65 years old); hip joint tumor, etc.
Third, what benefits will total hip arthroplasty bring to you?
1. More than 95% of patients have complete relief of hip pain after surgery;
2.After the surgery, you can resume normal daily activities and participate in sports activities such as swimming under the guidance of the doctor;
3.If you have a limp before the operation, you will get a significant improvement after the operation.
Fourth, how long can the prosthesis be used in the body after total hip arthroplasty?
Currently, all kinds of total hip prostheses are designed to last up to 50 years, but the service life of the prosthesis after implantation is affected by many factors. Recent literature reports on the follow-up of patients who have undergone total hip arthroplasty have found that 95% of patients have a prosthesis that lasts 10 years and 80% of patients have a prosthesis that lasts 20 years if proper rehabilitation instructions are followed. It should be noted that the current prosthesis design and technology and surgical techniques have made great progress compared to 10 or 20 years ago, so its service life in the body should be longer.
V. How long does it take to recover after surgery? What do you need to pay attention to after the surgery?
From the first day after surgery, you will undergo rehabilitation under our guidance. If your condition allows, you can sit on the edge of the bed, stand or even walk with assistance the day after surgery. Full recovery may take up to 3-6 months after surgery, depending on your health status, the surgical approach and the progress of your rehabilitation.
If your incision was made on the outside of your buttocks and thighs, then for 6-8 weeks after surgery you should
Avoid crossing your legs (either seated or in bed) DD put a pillow between your legs; avoid hip flexion more than 90°; DD lean back when sitting, do not sit in a chair that is too low, ask someone to help you if you need to pick up things, put on socks or cut your nails; avoid pointing the toe of the affected leg inward; avoid lying on the affected side
VI. What preparations do you need to make before surgery?
Before surgery, you need to prepare yourself in the following ways.
Psychological preparation: discuss your condition with your doctor and be informed that surgery is the best treatment, discuss with your family and accept the doctor’s treatment plan, and build up confidence in the surgery and its recovery.
Physiological preparation: If you have medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, anemia, etc., it is best to see an internal medicine specialist in advance to have a good control of these conditions. If you have been taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Fenbid, etc.) for a long time, please stop taking them at least 7 days before surgery or switch to Celebrex.
Prepare for your life: It is best to arrange a room in your home for your recovery after surgery, and arrange your common items (presbyopic glasses, TV remote control, tea cups, light switches, etc.) within your reach. Please prepare a hard cushion to keep the hip joint higher than the knee joint after surgery. Practice using the potty in bed before surgery.