Fast Facts About Hip Replacement Surgery

As we age, our joints can accumulate arthritis. While there are treatments physicians use to mitigate arthritis, some of the joints in our bodies that receive the most wear will eventually break down. That process can be extremely painful for patients, especially in the hips. Hip pain can make it difficult or nearly impossible to walk, but a hip replacement can address these problems. 

In basic terms, a hip replacement is a surgical procedure where doctors remove arthritic joints and replace them with new components made from a combination of metal and plastic. But there’s a lot more to it than that, like recovery from hip replacement as well as the finer details of what’s happening during the procedure. 

If you’re facing hip surgery, or worried about a loved one, then read on for fast facts you can use to ease your mind. 

The Procedure

A hip replacement is fairly standard today, and only general anesthesia is given in most situations. The anesthetic acts as a muscle relaxer, but surgeons are known to use a spinal relaxer in some cases. 

A small incision reveals thigh bone, typically about 8-10 inches but perhaps as small as 2-5 inches. Minimally invasive hip surgery is ideal, but it requires an extremely skilled surgeon well-versed in the technique. Talk to your doctor about your options. 

Once inside, a bone saw is used to remove the arthritic joint. The replacement is bonded to the bone with cement or some other kind of material, then fluids are drained to prevent infection. 

Before undergoing this procedure, talk with relatives about donating blood, since a transfusion may be required.

Recovery Time 

Expect to stay in the hospital for up to six days, with many patients leaving in as little as four days. During that time, physical therapy will begin with crutches or a cane depending on the severity of the surgery. Patients will learn where and how to walk and place pressure on the feet, an activity that will continue a few months after the surgery ends. 

Activities to Avoid

A patient’s recovery is dependant on time spent at home. How we walk, move, twist, bend, and where we go all make a difference in shortening or lengthening recovery time. For instance, those with stairs may want to prepare a bedroom on the first floor so relatives don’t need to spend so much time climbing. Avoid recliners. Even though they appear comfortable, the way we sit tends to put strain on the hips unnecessarily. Use a firm back chair and sit upright with your feet flat on the ground.

Also, as much as we love them, try and keep contact with pets to a minimum. Even though they help us feel better, they can get excited and cause some unnecessary damage in the early days after a surgery. 

Risks and Complications

Though the risks are minimal, surgery at any age requires strict adherence to doctor’s orders. Blood clots are the primary concern for most patients, and doctors will likely prescribe blood thinners to avoid this problem. Infections and bleeding are the next biggest risk factors, so be sure to follow special instructions for cleaning the wound. 

You have also just had surgery, with parts of the body removed and other materials added. It’s common for some of those parts to come loose in the days after surgery, so various complications may arise. This is one reason why patients are instructed to keep strenuous physical activity to a minimum. 

Final Thoughts 

Most joint replacements will last roughly 20 years. Anyone undergoing this procedure is likely to have few complications over that time frame, and walking will feel normal and mostly painless within a few months. 

Our bodies will still age, but hip replacement remains one of the many ways medical professionals have found to restore mobility and independence to those suffering from painful arthritis.