Hip replacement surgeries are an extensive and long procedure. Here, the patient undergoes certain surgical methods to ensure optimum functionality of his hip joint. The hip replacement surgery is painful in terms of its recovery phase.
So, how many hip replacements can you have?
The answer is you may have a few of them. But definitely, if your surgery is done with precision and you have taken good care in the recovery phase, you might not need any further surgery for correction.
Everything that you need to know about hip replacement surgery is given below. Please scroll on.
Most senior citizens with injury to the hip joint, preferably in the age group above 60 are prescribed hip replacement, Besides, youngsters are prescribed to do so for congenital anomalies or accidents.
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How Many Hip Replacements Can You Have?
Not many reasons why your hip replacement will fail are out there. Unless properly taken care of in the initial days, you will barely need a redo of the replacement surgery.
In an extremely irreversible condition, your surgeon will suggest you undergo hip replacement surgery for a second time or more. By this, he will be replacing all the previously placed prostheses with new ones.
About 4 to 5 percent of the population doing a hip replacement has to go through the process of hip replacement again every 10 years. This can be out of several reasons including faulty surgical procedures, repeated injury, infection, locomotion difficulties, etc.
In today’s writeup, you will know everything out there for a hip replacement. Stay with us!
Hip Replacement: All You Need to Know About It
Here’s a brief discussion on hip replacement. This will certainly help you to have a basic knowledge on it. Let’s start!
What Is Hip Replacement?
A damaged hip is replaced by an artificial hip called an implant. And the procedure is called hip replacement surgery.
It is done to adults and it lasts for about 15 years if any external factor or internal complication does not put it to question.
There are three major types of hip replacement surgery:
- Total hip replacement (most common)
- Partial hip replacement
- Hip resurfacing
Most senior citizens with injury to the hip joint, preferably in the age group above 60 are prescribed hip replacement, Besides, youngsters are prescribed to do so for congenital anomalies or accidents.
The implant used in hip replacement surgery is a metallic structure composed of ceramic and very hard plastic. It is done by incising through the layers of the hip from the side of over it. After that, the diseased tissue or injured area is removed. It includes the damaged bones and cartilage too.
There are three separate implants:
- The stem: It is made out of metal (commonly by titanium or cobalt-chrome) that is inserted into the natural thighbone.
- The ball is made out of polished metal or ceramic and fits on the stem.
- The socket is a combination of a plastic liner and a cobalt-chrome or titanium backing.
Ultimately, the artificial prosthetic is placed inside the ball and socket joint of the hip joint. Eventually, the patient experiences a recovery phase and progressively heals.
Recently, hip replacement surgery has advanced and the Superpath technology is one of them. In this technology, the damaged bone joint in question is only treated. The muscle, tendons, and tissues nearby are spared traditionally.
The hip replacement surgery is designed to go on smoothly for about 15 years at a stretch for any moderate working person.
Right after hip surgery, a patient is asked to rest but not for too long. By a week at best, he is asked to start working. In this way, the pain gradually subsides. Moreover, if there is any obstruction in walking, it is fixed as soon as possible.
Who Needs Hip Replacement?
Hip replacement only should be catered to patients with dire needs. As it is an expensive and extreme measure to restore a hip, it is offered only to the most needed. Some of them are:
- Sudden hip fracture due to accident
- Rheumatoid arthritis for a long time
- Septic arthritis
- Bone dysplasias
- Hip stiffness that restricts movements
- Difficulty in hip joint movement that limits everyday lifestyle
- Severe and unbearable pain
- Unable to sleep in pain
Lasting of a Hip Replacement Surgery
The hip replacement surgery is designed to go on smoothly for about 15 years at a stretch for any moderate working person. For an active person, the wear and tear are more and therefore, it might need to be replaced by the first 10 years.
It must be remembered that it is wiser to sustain the first hip replacement surgery as the second one resorts to numerous risks. Some of them include complexity in the retrieval of the implants, bleeding, clotting, infection, etc.
In order to make your hip replacement surgery long-lasting, a few cautionary actions must be taken before and after the surgery.
Before the Surgery
Do the following to get the best results after a hip replacement surgery:
- Weight loss
- Stretching and strengthening muscles
- Avoid driver
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid blood thinner
- Sleep in a comfortable position
- Stay medicated in due time
After the Surgery
Do the following after you are done with your hip replacement surgery:
- Use a wedge-shaped pillow between your hip for lying down.
- Rest for four to six days after the surgery
- Insertion of a catheter to tubing out your urine.
- Walk or move with the help of support.
- Do not use your operated leg for any major movement like pivoting, playing, kicking, running, swimming, etc.
- Do not move it at a 90-degree angle
At Home
Returning from the hospital, when you are slowly incorporating yourself and your new artificial hip joint into your daily life, there must be some things you should be aware of. A few of them include:
- Climb the least amount of stairs as possible
- Use a firm back chair. Do not use recliners.
- Avoid slips and falls as much as possible.
- Toilet seats must be elevated.
- Stay careful near over-enthusiastic children or pets.
When Does a Doctor Redo Your Hip Replacement?
Now that you know when and who gets to have their hip replaced, it is unlikely that he will need it again. But a doctor understands when the hip replacement must be done again. As a doctor considers the following factors for concluding a decision to redo the entire process:
- Visually unequal length of both legs
- Unable to cross leg, bend or sit on the low surface after the recovery period has passed.
- Loose fat pieces enter the circulation and then obstruct the lung. This may result in breathing distress.
- Nerves cause numbness due to swelling or edema.
- Infection
- Loosening of the joint
Risks of Hip Replacement Surgery
Like every other surgery, hip replacement surgeries also possess some risks. The complications are seen in the maximal state. If you were wondering how many hip replacements can you have, you should be well aware of the consequences at stake after this surgery if not taken care of:
- Infection at the surgical site
- Dislocation
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Fracture during or after hip replacement surgery
- The difference in length of leg
- Wearing out of metal on metal implants
Alternatives to Hip Replacement
Hip replacement is an utmost solution to long-term pain, fracture, dislocation in the hip joint. Primarily, it is not suggested to people right away. If a patient undergoes systematic treatment and even after that does not get enough relief from their problem, then they may be suggested with hip replacement.
As an alternative to hip replacement, a patient is firstly offered physiotherapy and oral pain relief. In the end, if it does not get better, a patient is advised to get admitted for hip replacement surgery.
Furthermore, the following treatment regimens are also advised to a patient who does not want to do hip replacement surgery:
Cell Therapy Injections
By these injections, the fat-containing bone marrow progenitor cells transform bones and cartilages to form the injured into healed ones.
Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Therapy
It is used to accelerate the use of healing of damaged or injured tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, etc. It improves the overall status of the musculoskeletal system.
Prolotherapy Injection
It is used to treat and improve muscle and bone pain. Here, a sugar or saline substance is injected into the muscle to act as an irritant.
FAQs
Is Hip replacement surgery painful?
For the initial two to four weeks after the surgery, the hip replacement can be painful. Eventually, the pain subsides with cognitive physiotherapy and medication.
Can you do surgery on both hips at the same time?
Bilateral Hip Replacement surgery can be done in extreme situations. But it must be done with special care.
After how long can I walk after a double hip replacement surgery?
By the next day or the same day, you must be able to start walking with support. But, by the next three to six weeks time span, you must be able to walk without any support.
Is second replacement therapy harder?
Compared to the first replacement therapy, the second one is harder and more complicated. It requires more medical and surgical attention.
End Statement
How many hip replacements can you have really depend on how much you take care of the current one. With the proper medication, physiotherapy, and personal care, you will not be needing further surgical interventions.
However, for any sudden or gradual initiation of a problem, when the body goes through any infection or pain in the operated area, revision total replacement therapy is suggested.
Therefore, lead a careful life and stay healthy!
