When your hip stops functioning normally due to a disease or an injury, it can lead to a lot of pain and limit your mobility. You can choose to relieve this pain and restore your hip’s function through hip replacement surgery. Here is everything you need to know about hip replacement:
What Is Hip Replacement?
In a hip replacement procedure, hip surgeons in Adelaide replace the hip joint that is worn-out or injured and damaged with an artificial joint. This type of surgery can be chosen if you are experiencing severe pain after a hip fracture or arthritis.
Common Causes Of Hip Bone Injury or Damage
● Osteoarthritis
This disease degenerates the hip joint and causes a breakdown of the joint cartilage and nearby bones. It is seen in middle-aged and older people.
● Rheumatoid Arthritis
In this type of arthritis, the synovial lining of the hip joint is inflamed. The production of synovial fluid is increased which can lead to stiffness and severe pain in your hip.
● Traumatic Arthritis
This type of arthritis is the effect of an injury and can cause damage to the hip cartilages.
Do You Really Need A Hip Replacement Surgery?
If you are feeling discomfort in your hip region, your attending doctor can suggest some alternative methods to relieve your pain and reduce hip discomfort. This can include painkillers, reduction and maintaining a healthy weight, or even a steroid injection. Consider surgery if your pain worsens when you try to walk, is persisting even with pain medication, is interfering with your sleep, or makes it difficult to move about. You may also want to keep in mind that the younger you are while getting hip replacement surgery, the faster the replacement joint will wear off. You may need another surgery later on in life.
What Is The Goal Of Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is done to replace the damaged parts of the hip joint and relieve you of pain that is not being able to be controlled by alternate treatments.
What Is The Procedure Of Hip Replacement?
During surgery, the hip surgeon in Adelaide will pull out the damaged or worn-out sections of your hip and replace them with artificial implants. A highly durable plastic cup is placed at the socket. The femur bone head is removed and replaced with a metal or ceramic ball and attached to a metal stem inserted into the femur.
The Road To Recovery
The time for recovery from this surgery generally depends on various factors like your overall fitness and health before the surgery. Most people are able to recover in the first few months post-surgery. Full recovery continues as you get stronger and active over time.
Do You Qualify For Surgery?
There are no weight or age restrictions for hip replacement surgeries. The recommendation is made by the doctor depending on your level of pain and disability. Hip surgeries are done on all who need it, irrespective of age.
You may have just started to notice an issue with your hip function or maybe you have struggled with hip issues for a while, you can get a pain-free life with a hip replacement surgery.