Hip Replacement Surgery

Total hip replacement involves removing damaged cartilage and bone from the hip joint and replacing them with artificial components. The hip joint, one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body, is a ball and socket joint situated between the thighbone (femur) and the pelvis (acetabulum). The head of the femur serves as the ball, and the pelvic acetabulum forms the socket. A smooth articular cartilage covers the joint surface, acting as a cushion and facilitating smooth joint movement.

Need to know

What happens during surgery?

The procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia. A surgical incision is made over the hip, exposing the hip joint. The femur is then dislocated from the acetabulum. The socket is thoroughly cleaned, and the damaged or arthritic bone is removed using a reamer. The acetabular component is inserted into the socket and is held in place using screws or bone cement. A liner made of plastic, ceramic, or metal is placed inside the acetabular component. The femur is prepared by removing the arthritic bone with special instruments so that the new metal femoral component fits precisely. The femoral component is inserted into the femur either by press fit or using bone cement. The femoral head component, which is made of metal or ceramic, is then placed on the femoral stem. The new parts are secured in place using special cement. The muscles and tendons surrounding the new joint are repaired, and the incision is closed.

How to prepare?

After undergoing total hip replacement, you must take special care to prevent the new joint from dislocating and to ensure proper healing. Some of the common precautions to be taken include:

• Avoid combined movement of bending your hip and turning your foot inwards
• Keep a pillow between your legs while sleeping for 6 weeks
• Never cross your legs and bend your hips past a right angle (90)
• Avoid sitting on low chairs
• Avoid bending down to pick up things, instead a grabber can be used to do so
• You may also want to consider installing handrails in your bath, shower and staircase at home to help during your recovery

By following these steps and working closely with your healthcare team, you can help ensure a successful total hip replacement surgery and a smooth recovery.

After Hip surgery?

After your hip replacement surgery, you will be hospitalized for a few days under the care of our medical team. Our physiotherapy team will encourage you to stand and walk with the help of crutches and provide you with exercises to strengthen your hip and legs.

When you return home, you will need to use crutches, a walker, or walking sticks for a few weeks. Your consultant will advise you on when you can resume your daily routine, including work or exercise. Recovery time varies for each patient, depending on several factors such as age, fitness level, and the condition of the joint and surrounding muscles.

Patients often have questions regarding driving and returning to work, both of which are possible within six weeks of the operation, depending on how well the incision heals. With hip replacement surgeries now using smaller incisions that are covered with a dressing, it is important to avoid swimming or taking baths to minimize the risk of infection.