| Understanding
Hip Replacement Surgery |
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What is hip replacement?
Hip replacement replaces cartilage that has
worn away over the years with a metal and plastic covering for raw,
arthritic bone ends. Hip replacement can eliminate pain and allow you to move easily
with less discomfort.
Who should have a hip
replacement?
When arthritis hip pain severely limits
your ability to walk, work, or perform even simple activities, hip
replacement may be considered. |
Is there an
alternative to hip replacement?
Hip replacement is only recommended after careful diagnosis of your joint
problem. It is not likely that anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone
injections will give you the same long-term relief that hip replacement
will.
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Should
my hip replacement be cemented?
Hip replacements are successfully performed with all cemented components
as well as with a combination of uncemented and cemented components. Your
surgeon will discuss which technique is best for you.
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How
long is the hospital stay?
The average hospital stay for a hip replacement patient is around 3-5
days. In some cases, fixing one hip reduces the stress on the other hip,
thus giving another two or three years if the arthritis is not too
advanced. Each case is different.
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How
long is recuperation?
Recovery varies with each person. You will use a walker for approximately
4 weeks after the operation. You can drive a car in 2-4 weeks. Most people
gradually increase their activities and may play golf, doubles tennis,
shuffleboard, or bowl in 12 weeks. More active sports, such as singles
tennis and jogging are not recommended.
After you leave the hospital, there is usually no need for a nursing home. Some
patients who live alone may require a short stay at a rehab center for a
few days after they leave the hospital. This will depend on how you
progress in the hospital. Keep in mind that healing and recovery times
vary with each person.
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Will
I need a blood transfusion?
The need for blood transfusions after hip replacement surgery depends
greatly on very individualized factors. The majority of hip replacement
patients do not require a transfusion after surgery. Some patients may
want to donate their own blood prior to surgery for use after surgery.
Your surgeon will be happy to discuss these issues with you.
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What
is the success rate?
Hip replacement surgery is recognized as a miracle of modern surgery. Most
orthopedic experts consider hip replacement to be the best method of
handling arthritis in the hip. Hip replacements have literally put
hundreds of thousands of Americans back on their feet and allowed them to
enjoy their later years.
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Are
there complications?
As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications after hip
replacement surgery. However, they are quite rare … driving on an
Interstate highway is probably more dangerous. To reduce the risk of
infection, we take special precautionary measures in the operating room,
and use powerful antibiotics. Our personnel are all fully-trained
and experienced nurses and technicians.
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What
about pain?
Thanks to advances in medication technology, we are able to keep you very
comfortable after surgery. After surgery, any temporary discomfort you
might experience will be far less than the pain you likely endured in the
months and years before surgery.
And because hip replacement patients are not “sick,” you will not be
treated as such. You will wear casual clothing after surgery, not hospital
gowns. You’ll also join other joint replacement patients for buffet
lunches, television, cards and games.
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