Faq's

   
PROCEDURE   RECOVERY   PREPERATION   FAQ HIPS   REHAB   NEWER ADVANCES
 
   
FAQ - Hips  
   
What is a hip replacement?
A hip replacement involves a surgical procedure to replace part or all of a diseased or damaged hip joint with an artificial substitute—a prosthetic hip joint. The operation to replace or mend a joint is known as 'arthroplasty'.

The aim of a hip replacement is to alleviate pain and restore function in the hip joint.
 
   
Who might be a candidate for hip replacement?
The most common condition that results in the need for hip replacement surgery is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative, joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults, causes the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the hips. Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation of the synovial membrane and results in excessive synovial fluid, can lead to pain and stiffness. Traumatic arthritis, arthritis due to injury, can cause damage to the articular cartilage of the hip.

Persons with severe degenerative joint disease may be unable to do normal activities that involve bending at the hip, such as walking or sitting, because they are painful.

Also, hip replacement is one method of treating a hip fracture. A fracture is a traumatic event that may result from a fall. Pain from a fracture is severe and walking or even moving the leg is difficult.

Other conditions that may cause hip joint degeneration and require hip replacement include infections and hip deformities.
 
   
What is the difference between standard hip replacement and resurfacing hip replacement?
The traditional treatment of a patient that required a hip replacement has been a stem-type replacement. The decision to perform a hip resurfacing is determined by diagnosis, the age of the patient, the patient’s level of activity and expectations. The resurfacing hip replacement offers a long-term outcome for young and active patients while saving bone for later revision when necessary. This conservative approach to hip replacement accounts for the popularity of the procedure.
 
   
How is my new hip different?
You may feel some numbness in the skin around your incision. You also may feel some stiffness, particularly with excessive bending. These differences often diminish with time and most patients find these are minor compared to the pain and limited function they experienced prior to surgery.

Your new hip may activate metal detectors required for security in airports and some buildings. Tell the security agent about your hip replacement if the alarm is activated.
 
   
What is the length of expectancy of the resurfaced hip?
The average expectancy ranges from ten to twenty years depending upon the activity level of the patient.
 
   
What are the complications of Hip replacement surgery?
Any surgery has risks. There are many risks associated with Hip replacement surgery. However, in the hands of a well-trained, dedicated orthopaedic surgeon, these risks should be quite low.

The most common complication is blood clots in the legs. The most serious complication is infection. The most important long-term complication is loosening.