According to the American Joint Replacement Registry, surgeons have performed over 2.8 million knee and hip replacement surgeries. Remarkably, these procedures increased by 57% between 2021 and 2022.
The unusually high uptake of joint replacements reflects the high success rate of these surgeries.
Most patients report a vastly improved quality of life after joint replacement. So, if your doctor has recommended a partial hip replacement, you have nothing to fear.
Keep reading to find out more about this type of surgery.
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What Is a Partial Hip Replacement?
Your hips are ball-and-socket joints. That means the ball-shaped end of your thigh bone rotates into a cup-shaped portion of the hip bone.
It is the second-largest joint in your body after your knee and is responsible for a high degree of mobility. As a result, damage to the hip joint will inevitably put you out of action.
Fortunately, joint replacement surgery is highly advanced nowadays, with a 90% success rate. There are two major types of hip replacement: full hip replacement and partial hip replacement.
The first, called total hip arthroplasty, replaces both the ball and socket with a prosthetic. During a partial hip replacement (hip hemiarthroplasty), the surgeon replaces only the ball-shaped head of the femur.
Common Reasons for Hip Replacement Surgery
Doctors usually recommend that you see an orthopedic surgeon in the event of significant, persistent pain in the hip area. Some of the other symptoms that indicate a need for surgery may include:
- Increasing discomfort and immobility from a previous hip injury
- Pain and stiffness associated with activity
- Limited mobility
- Sleep disturbances due to pain
- Visible changes in the hip joint
Trauma from a fall or injury commonly causes these problems. You can also develop these symptoms due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or tumors in the joint.
Go to https://www.neemtreehealthcare.com/best-orthopedic-doctor-in-delhi.html for more information on other conditions that an orthopedic doctor can help you with.
Partial Hip Replacement Methods
Your hips are ball-and-socket joints. That means the ball-shaped end of your thigh bone rotates into a cup-shaped portion of the hip bone.
During the procedure, surgeons insert a prosthetic femoral stem into the hip socket, usually made of ceramic or strong, polished metal.
They don’t interfere with the socket at all in the process.
Surgeons can conduct an open surgery, which involves a long incision made diagonally to the joint, or they can complete the surgery with only two small cuts using computer-assisted surgery.
Computer-assisted surgery works best when the surgeon only needs to remove a small amount of bone.
During both procedures, the surgeon will remove any damaged cartilage from the femur and screw or cement the prosthesis in place.
Complications Associated with Hip Hemiarthroplasty
As with all surgeries, things can go wrong during or after a partial hip replacement. These are the most common risks involved:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Blood clots in the lungs or legs
- Nerve injury
- Fracture or dislocation
- Ongoing pain and stiffness
- Loosening of the prosthesis
- Leg length discrepancy
In extremely rare cases, patients may experience an embolism if bone marrow enters their bloodstream. This increases the chance of a heart attack or stroke after the surgery.
Depending on your health, there may be other risks involved. Always address any concerns you have with your surgeon before opting for this procedure.
If you notice any of the following after the procedure, you should notify your doctor immediately:
- Ongoing drainage or bleeding from the incision site
- Redness and swelling that lasts for more than a few days
- Fever
- Increased pain around the incision site
- Abnormal swelling of the lower leg
- Pain in the lower leg
If you experience shortness of breath or chest pain after surgery, go straight to the emergency room.
Infection is another rare risk associated with joint surgery. It can happen when bacteria circulating in your bloodstream attach to the prosthetic.
If this happens to you, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics, and you may need to undergo revision surgery to replace the prosthetic.
Partial Hip Replacement Surgery Aftercare
As soon as you wake up from your surgery, you should get started on your recovery. Healthcare professionals will encourage you to get up and moving as soon as possible.
Once you can walk, climb stairs, and get in and out of your car, you can go home, provided you have no other health concerns.
In some cases, you might need to spend some time in an inpatient rehabilitation center first. Even if you go home, you’ll still need to take part in physical therapy for a few weeks after your surgery.
This will help you to regain a good range of motion and get your muscle strength back. Staying motivated and cooperating with your physical therapist for as long as necessary is vital for your recovery.
These are the most important things you can do to ensure the success of your surgery:
- Take your medication as directed
- Attend all your follow-up appointments with your surgeon
- Complete the prescribed home exercises
- Follow any recommended dietary guidelines
- Combat any swelling with ice and by elevating your leg
- Don’t drive a vehicle until you get the go-ahead from your doctor
Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions to help you keep the surgical area dry and clean. Be sure to follow these guidelines.
Getting Back on Track
No doubt you’ll experience almost immediate relief from your agony once you undergo surgery. Since most hip replacement prostheses last for over 20 years, you can look forward to a much brighter future, too.
Are you looking for ways to improve your health and fitness after the ordeal of partial hip replacement surgery? Browse our blog for answers to many of your health-related questions.