Patients with hip arthritis, severe pain, or impaired function may benefit from hip replacement surgery. Also known as hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery replaces the damaged hip joint and diseased tissue with an artificial part or prosthesis.
The Procedure
Hip replacement surgery may be traditional or minimally-invasive. With minimally-invasive hip replacement surgery, the surgeon makes smaller incisions to perform the procedure. During the surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged parts of the hip joint, including bone and other tissues, and implants a prosthesis. The femur head will be replaced with a prosthetic ball made of titanium or metal alloy, and the socket will be replaced with a plastic cup and a titanium metal shell. The prosthesis is either a cemented or an uncemented type — either the prosthesis is attached to the bone using cement or attaches to the bone with a porous surface. It is also possible to combine both.
Recovery
After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. After waking up and stabilizing, you will be transferred to your hospital room. Hip replacement surgery usually requires a few days of hospital stay.
Moving the joint is encouraged after surgery. A physical therapist or occupational therapist will be assigned to your care as soon as after the surgery to teach you how to safely move with your new hip. You will also be taught exercises to boost circulation, prevent clotting, and how to use assistive devices such as a walker. Blood clot prevention is very important after surgery. You will need to wear compression stockings, and your doctor may prescribe blood thinners.
Pain management is also an important aspect of recovery. You will be provided pain medication and taught physical therapy exercises. Take the pain medication as directed and do not take anything else without your doctor’s approval. You will regularly meet with a physical therapist for rehabilitation using stretching as well as strengthening and range of motion exercises.
Risk Management
You should prepare your home for recovery before surgery. You can do this by rearranging furniture so that you can walk easily and place items strategically around the house, so they’re in your arm’s reach.
Other than the risk of blood clotting, another risk is infection. It is important to keep the surgical site clean and dry. Ask your doctor about instructions for bathing. Falls are another risk for hip replacement patients, which is why there should be assistive devices installed in the home to minimize accident risk.
You can expect a reduction of pain levels after hip replacement surgery. Gradually, you will regain your strength and flexibility, which will grant you greater mobility. Talk to your surgeon about how to best prepare for hip replacement surgery and what to expect during and after it.
Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery in Naples, FL
North Naples Surgery Center is an ambulatory surgery center that specializes in outpatient, same-day surgical procedures, including minimally-invasive hip replacement surgery. Our patients can go home on the same day to recover in the comfort of their homes. North Naples Surgery Center has a highly skilled medical staff and an ambulatory center fully-equipped with the latest medical technology.
If you have questions or if you would like to schedule a consultation, call (239) 591-2803 or request an appointment now.
