Why hip replacement surgery

There are certain steps patients can take both before and after surgery to improve recovery time and results. It is important to follow the instructions and guidance provided by your orthopedic surgeon, medical team and rehabilitation therapist. Visit Preparing for Your Surgery to get information on preoperative hip replacement classes and patient education materials about joint replacement surgery. Most patients will stay in the hospital one or two nights after surgery.

Some patients may be able have same-day hip replacement and return home after an outpatient procedure. Total hip replacement surgery takes about one and a half hours. Most patients also stay in the hospital for one or two days after the procedure.

Your rehabilitation will begin within 24 hours after surgery. Most hip replacement patients progress to walking with a cane, walker or crutches within day or two after surgery. As the days progress, you will increase the distance and frequency of walking. Yes, healthy patients younger than 75 years old who have no history of cardiopulmonary disease may be able to have both hips replaced at once.

In some cases, however, it may be better to stage the surgeries. The surgery is very safe, but every surgery has risks, and infection is the most serious. You should ask your surgeon what the surgical infection rate is for hip replacements at the hospital or facility where you will have your surgery.

HSS has one of the lowest rates of infection for hip replacement surgery, as well as a significantly lower rate of readmission compared to the national average. In , The New York State Department of Health reported that out of more than hospitals in New York that did hip replacements in , only Hospital for Special Surgery had a hip replacement surgery site infection SSI rate that was "significantly lower than the state average" for that year, and that those infection rates at HSS had been significantly lower than the state average in each of the seven years between Other risks include blood clots in the leg or pelvis, and accidental hip dislocation during or after recovery.

Hospital for Special Surgery performs better than the national average in preventing blood clots after surgery. Learn more about joint replacement prostheses by reading Understanding Implants in hip and Hip Replacement. Today's sensitive screening machines will detect the implant but can also effectively identify it. The machine operator will know that it is an implant rather than an unauthorized metal object contained outside the body.

It is still helpful to tell airport security that you have had a hip replacement before entering the screening machine. You may also ask your doctor's office if they can provide a card that identifies that you have received a hip implant that contains metal. Generally speaking, a hip replacement prosthesis should remain effective for between 10 and 20 years, and some can last even longer.

Results vary according to the type of implant and the age of the patient. When a hip implant does need to be replaced because it has loosened or worn out over time, this requires what is called hip revision surgery.

It is also important to research the hospital or facility where you will have your operation, as well as its supporting staff, such as the anesthesiologists. The success rate for hip replacement surgery at HSS is very high. In a study, HSS interviewed patients to learn about their progress. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Artificial hip Open pop-up dialog box Close. Artificial hip Hip prostheses are designed to mimic the ball-and-socket action of your hip joint.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Related information Outpatient joint replacement: Is it a safe option? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Hip replacement. Accessed Dec. Erens GA, et al. Total hip arthroplasty. Total hip replacement. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Hip replacement. Mayo Clinic; Complications of total hip arthroplasty.

Evans JT, et al. How long does a hip replacement last? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case series and national registry reports with more than 15 years of follow-up. The Lancet. Deep vein thrombosis. Guay J, et al. Nerve blocks or no nerve blocks for pain control after elective hip replacement arthroplasty surgery in adults Review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Office of Patient Education Center. It might also become damaged if you have an injury or dislocation. You may need a revision surgery to replace the damaged parts of the prosthesis.

Most hip prostheses last 20 years or longer. You might be able to extend the life of your implant by doing regular low impact exercise, avoiding high impact exercise such as jogging and taking precautions to avoid falls. A rare risk of hip replacement is infection, which can happen if bacteria circulating in the bloodstream get caught in the prosthetic pieces.

An infection may require a revision surgery to remove the infected tissues, and a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria. When the infection is gone, a new prosthetic can be put back in. If you had a partial hip replacement only the ball part of the joint , you may need a revision down the road to replace the socket as well. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. What is a hip replacement? Who can benefit from a hip replacement?

Your doctor may recommend hip replacement if you have significant pain, inflammation and damage to your hip joint due to conditions such as: Osteoarthritis most common Rheumatoid arthritis Osteonecrosis avascular necrosis Injury such as hip fracture Tumor in the hip joint. How do you know if you need a hip replacement? Signs of declining quality of life include: Inability to get restful sleep because of pain Difficulty doing simple tasks such as getting dressed or climbing stairs Inability to fully participate in the activities you enjoy At first, your doctor may recommend other treatments such as medicine for pain or inflammation, walking aids, joint injections and physical therapy.

Types of Hip Replacement Surgery Several factors help determine the type of hip replacement you may need. Total and Partial Hip Replacement: Which parts need to be replaced? Three common ways to access the hip joint are: From the front anterior approach to hip replacement From the side lateral approach to hip replacement From the back posterior approach to hip replacement. Approaches to Hip Replacement Surgery Dr. Savya Thakkar. Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Minimally invasive hip replacement aims to minimize the impact of surgery on healthy tissues, such as muscles and blood vessels.

This approach may have advantages, such as: Lower risk of muscle damage Less pain Quicker and easier recovery Less limping Shorter hospital stay Lower chance of hip dislocation Minimally invasive hip replacement is not appropriate for all patients. Traditional Hip Replacement A traditional hip replacement includes a single, large incision that helps the surgeon gain access to the hip, usually through the side lateral approach or from the back posterior approach.

Talk with your orthopaedic hip surgeon to discuss which surgical approach may be best for you. Discussing the Best Approach With Your Doctor The surgical approach your doctor will recommend depends on several factors, including how the surgeon will gain access to the hip, the type and style of the implant and how it will be attached, and your age and activity level, and the shape and health of the hip bones. Hip and Knee Replacement at Johns Hopkins The Johns Hopkins hip and knee replacement program features a team of orthopaedic specialist highly skilled in joint replacement procedures.

Learn more about our hip and knee program. Parts of a Hip Replacement Implant Hip Prosthesis The hip replacement implant, also called hip prosthesis, has two parts: A ceramic ball attached to a metal stem, which is inserted into the thigh bone femur for stability A metal cup typically made of titanium with an inner plastic layer, which is attached to the socket part of the hip joint acetabulum to allow the prosthetic joint to rotate smoothly In the past, the ball was made of metal as well, but the current standard is ceramic.

Types of Socket Implant Attachment Uncemented prosthesis attaches with a porous surface, which allows bone to grow over time and hold it in place. Cemented prosthesis attaches with bone cement. Can you get both hips replaced at the same time? What happens during a hip replacement surgery?

A typical, uncomplicated total hip replacement surgery has the following steps. Once in the operating room, you will get an intravenous IV line in your hand or arm.

A urinary catheter may be inserted as well. You will receive anesthesia , either general whole body or below-the-waist epidural , depending on the recommendation of your anesthesiologist and orthopaedic surgeon.

The surgeon will place you in an appropriate position to access the hip joint and make an incision. The surgeon will remove the head of the femur the ball part of the joint and make an opening in the top of the femur. He or she will then insert the stem of the ball prosthesis, with or without cement. The ceramic replacement head will then be attached to the top of the femur implant. The surgeon will then remove the damaged cartilage from the acetabulum the socket part of the joint and attach the new cup.

Your surgeon will bend and move your leg to ensure that it functions properly.