What You Can Expect Before And After Your Hip Joint Replacement Surgery

Hip pain makes activities of daily living very difficult. You might experience pain on common tasks such as getting in and out of your car, climbing stairs or even taking a walk. Degeneration of the hip will generally require surgical intervention resulting in a total hip replacement.

If you ignore the pain and avoid replacement surgery, you can damage the joint even more. Also, you may develop osteoarthritis as you age, which can make this condition even more painful.

Preparing for Hip Joint Replacement

If you have been diagnosed and informed by your physician that you have osteoarthritis to the degree that you need surgery, you will be required to undergo medical tests. The tests are designed to learn whether you are physically capable of undergoing the surgical intervention. Blood tests as well as EKG testing will be conducted. You may also be asked to donate your own blood in the event transfusions are needed during the operation. There is nothing unusual about this request in recent times, and it is safer for you in the long run to donate your own blood in the event that you do need a transfusion. Once your health status is determined, a place like Richmond Orthopedic Associate Inc will schedule you for surgery.

Hip Joint Replacement Surgery

During surgery, muscles that connect your thigh bone are removed in order for the surgeon to gain access to your hip joint. Your orthopedic surgeon will excise the ball, or head, of your degenerated femur bone. If your surgeon discovers any damaged cartilage, it will be removed as well. The surgeon will replace the excised bone with an artificial joint. Your new artificial hip joint will be securely held in place by special medical material that will enable you to enjoy the lifestyle you had before degeneration occurred.

What Happens After Surgery?

Your hospital stay can range from 4 to 6 days. Physical therapy exercises will be given to you, and those sessions will begin the next day after surgery. Expect your physician and medical staff to help you stay comfortable while you recuperate in the hospital.

You will be prescribed a standard medical wedge-shaped cushion that protects the surgical site following hip surgery replacement. Physical therapy will be a mainstay of your daily activity for several weeks and possibly even months after surgery. This activity ensures that you heal in a timely manner.

Longevity of Your Replacement Joint

Technology is so advanced now that you can expect your replacement joint to last as long as 20 years! As surgical techniques improve, your replacement joint reportedly can last even longer than before. Should the joint become damaged later, it can be repaired in a second procedure.