Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Overview

If you are experiencing pain, stiffness or loss of function in your hip joint, your doctor may recommend hip replacement surgery to alleviate the symptoms. Hip replacement surgery can be performed as a total or half replacement. During the procedure, the surgeon removes and replaces the diseased or damaged ball and socket of the hip joint with artificial materials. The artificial hip is shaped to provide the normal rolling, gliding, bending motion of the joint. Our goal for successful treatment is to help patients regain their range of motion and quality of life.

Risk Factors

The following factors can cause damage or loss of functionality to the hip.

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Bone tumor
• Broken hip
• Persistent mobility pain
• Limited hip mobility
• Increasing age

Tests

Before surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will need to determine the knee’s range of motion and the degree of damage. A current health assessment will also be done prior to suregery.

• Physical exam
• X-ray
- Blood tests
• MRI
- Electrocardiogram
• Urine test

Postoperative Rehabilitation:

Plan ahead for your recovery time. During recovery, physical therapists guide patients in various strengthening and mobility exercises. The goal is to return patients to their optimum level of functioning.

• Wound care
• Diet
• Strengthening exercises
• Proper body mechanics
• Walking

Postoperative Risks

As with any surgery, there are some risks associated with hip replacement surgery.

• Pain
• Change in leg length
• Joint stiffening
• Wear and tear over time
• Loosening
• Breakage of artificial joint
• Fracture of healthy bone during surgery
• Pain due to wear in artificial joint and slippage
• Infection
• Dislocation of the artificial joint
• Blood clot
• Stroke
• Nerve damage
• Heart attack