Understanding Hip Replacement Surgery

By Author: Lucy Carter
Total Articles: 102
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As per my previous article titled 'Need-To-Know Guide on Hip Replacement Surgery', this treatment can be the best solution to restore your quality of life when your hip has been damaged by injury or arthritis.

The following article will explain how you can prepare for the surgery to ensure its success, as well as describe the results you can expect after the procedure.

Clarifying Expectations

It must be said that in deciding whether hip replacement surgery is the right course of action for your needs, it's vital to understand what the procedure can or can't do for you. While the majority of people who have undergone the operation experience a significant reduction in pain and improvement in movement, hip replacement surgery will not enable you to do more than was possible before your hip problem developed. After the operation, it is recommended you avoid certain activities such as high-impact sports or jogging for the rest of your life. Depending on your condition, you may also be asked to avoid specific positions of the hip joint which could lead to dislocation.

As with bones, your artificial joint ...
... or prosthesis will develop some wear over time, even with normal use. Being overweight or engaging in high-impact activities could accelerate this deterioration, and causing your prosthesis to loosen and become painful. In this case, you would need to undergo a second operation.

Pre-Surgery Preparation

Evaluation, Tests and Medicines

In many cases, once you've decided to opt for hip replacement surgery you will be given a complete physical examination by your GP to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure and determine whether you have any conditions which would impact on the operation or your recovery. You will also undergo some tests such as a cardiogram and chest x-ray plus urine and blood samples. If you're taking any medication, it's vital you tell your orthopaedist or GP so they can advise you on whether they will need to be discontinued before the surgery can safely proceed.

What you can do

It can be a good idea to donate your blood before surgery, for use if needed during or after the operation. In addition, being overweight can increase the risks of surgery plus put extra stress on your new artificial joint which would impact on your recovery. For this reason you might be advised to lose some weight before undergoing the procedure. Another factor to consider in the interests of minimising your chances of infection is to have a dental evaluation and fix any problems before the surgery takes place. While infections after hip replacement are uncommon, they can potentially occur from bacteria entering your bloodstream during dental work. Even routine teeth cleaning is not advisable for several weeks after the operation. Lastly, your skin should not have any irritations or infections when you undergo surgery - if you are suffering from this, ask your orthopaedist or GP for a remedy to improve your skin.

Help and Home Planning

You will be able to walk with crutches or a walker soon after your hip replacement surgery, however you'll need some help for several weeks for tasks such as cooking, bathing, shopping and laundry. If you live alone, ask your orthopaedic surgeon's office, a discharge planner at the hospital or a social worker to assist you in making advance arrangements to have help at hand. You could even opt for a short stay in an extended-care facility during the initial stages of your recovery.

To make life easier when recovering at home, it's a good idea to tackle the following modifications:

- Firm pillows for your chairs, couches and car to enable you to sit with your knees lower than your hips.
- A reacher that will allow you to grab objects without excessive bending of your hips.
- Removal of all loose carpeting and electrical cords from the areas where you walk in to minimise the possibility of a fall.
- Secure handrails along all stairways and in your shower or bath.
- A stable shower bench or chair as well as long-handled sponge and shower hose for bathing.
- Items such as a sock aid, dressing stick and a long-handled shoe horn to prevent excessive bending with your new hip

Conclusion

Hip replacement surgery is now a safe and effective solution to repair hip damage. It can greatly improve your quality of life and ability to be mobile. The important thing to do is to thoroughly weigh your options with your GP so that you can be clear on whether this treatment is right for your individual condition.
Angela Cilano is a medical researcher and hip replacement consultant.