If your hip has been damaged by fracture, arthritis, or some other conditions, your day-to-day activities, such as waking, climbing stairs, and walking in and out of a chair, may be painful. All you want is to eliminate the debilitating symptoms caused by your damaged hip joint.
For a damaged hip, nonsurgical treatments are considered first-line therapy. However, if nonsurgical treatments like medications, changes in daily activities, and the use of a walker don’t provide adequate relief, your orthopedist suggests hip replacement surgery.
So, whether you’ve already decided to undergo a hip replacement surgery or are exploring your treatment options, the information below will help you understand hip replacement surgery, what procedure it involves, and where you can go in Kingsport, Tennessee, for effective hip replacement surgery.
What is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Also known as hip arthroplasty, hip replacement is a surgical procedure performed by an orthopedic surgeon to replace your damaged hip with an artificial hip or prosthesis.
The hip joint (the largest ball and socket joint of the body) consists of a ball at the top of the femur and the socket in the pelvis. Hip replacement surgery involves replacing either one of these parts of the hip joint (partial hip replacement) or both parts (total hip replacement) with an artificial joint.
What Hip Replacement Surgery Procedure Entails?
The hip replacement is a safe and effective procedure that allows you to get back to enjoying your daily activities with no pain. The entire surgical procedure can be completed within two hours.
During the procedure, you are made to sleep with the help of anesthesia, and your orthopedic surgeon makes an incision over your hip to access the damaged hip bone. Then your orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged and diseased bones and joints and positions the prosthesis (artificial joint made of plastic, metal, or ceramic) to restore the function and alignment of your joint.
The artificial joint or a component may be “press fit” into your bone to allow the bone to grow into the component or may be cemented into the place.
The hip arthroplasty may be performed by using minimally invasive techniques. The minimally invasive hip replacement surgery minimizes the impact of surgery on your healthy muscles and blood vessels.
Following the surgery, your pain is managed with opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and local anesthetics. You are also advised to eat a nutritious diet and resume most normal light daily activities within 3 to 6 weeks of surgery.
Possible Complications of Hip Replacement Surgery
The complication rate following a hip replacement surgery is very low, and serious complications occur in less than 2% of patients. Although complications are uncommon, when they occur, they can limit your recovery. Possible surgery complications include:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Dislocation of joint
- Leg length inequality
- Nerve or blood vessel injury
- Loosening of implant
- Implant wear
Proper post-op care, such as practicing precautionary measures during recovery and recognizing signs of complications like blood clots early, can avoid serious complications after surgery.
Hip Replacement Surgery in Kingsport, Tennessee
If your hip pain is preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities, seek orthopedic care as soon as possible to get early treatment. At Associated Orthopaedics, we offer comprehensive care for all your muscle and skeletal system problems. Our highly trained and compassionate surgeons evaluate your problem and recommend nonsurgical and surgical treatments depending on your problem and preference.
To make an appointment with us, call today at (423) 245-3161 or schedule an appointment online directly to meet with a hip & knee specialist.
