Understanding Hip Replacement Surgery: Procedure, Types, and Benefits

Hip replacement surgery also known as hip arthroplasty is a surgery generally recommended to patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hip fractures, and hip joint problems. The benefits of hip replacement include pain relief, which is one of the most important reasons this surgery is recommended to patients. 

There are several hip replacement surgery types and based on the underlying condition or damage doctors recommend the surgery that’s best suited to help you treat your condition. So, let’s dive in and learn all about hip joint replacement procedure, the various hip implant materials used, and the hip surgery success rates.

Hip Replacement Surgery Types

Before you learn about hip replacement surgery types, it is important to address surgery success rates based on the type of surgery. The success rate of a hip replacement surgery depends a lot on the skill and experience of the surgeon performing the operation. If you opt to get your surgery done from the top orthopaedic surgeons, it will help you reduce the risk of surgery failure. 

Similarly, they will also be able to guide you through the recovery process better and ensure you are able to properly adjust to the new prosthetic hip joint. This applies across the board to all hip replacement surgery types and procedures. So, without further delay, let’s review the various hip replacement surgery types.

• Total Hip Replacement Surgery: This is the most common type of hip replacement as often preserving the existing cartilage carries the risk of pain and arthritis resurgence. It is therefore recommended to patients to get a complete hip replacement. In this type of surgery, both the femoral head and the acetabulum are completely removed and replaced by prosthetic parts. THR can be performed both as a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure or an open surgery.
   
• Partial Hip Replacement Surgery: Partial Hip Replacement is performed in cases where preserving original healthy cartilage is possible and required to ensure a faster recovery time. This type of surgery is recommended in cases of hip fractures rather than cases of joint degeneration seen with arthritis. Only the femoral head is replaced during this type of surgery and replaced with prosthetics. Partial hip replacement can be performed both laparoscopically and also as an open surgery.
   
• Hip Resurfacing: In patients with strong bone quality and limited damage or damage due to fractures, hip resurfacing is commonly used. This procedure involves trimming the femoral head and acetabulum and placing prosthetics like caps on top of the existing bone. This is done to preserve original bone and help patients adjust to their prosthetics quicker. This procedure is not suitable for everyone and can only be used in certain cases. With the right surgeons this surgery can be one of the hip replacement procedures with the quickest recovery.

Hip Replacement Surgery Procedure

Regardless of the type of the surgery, the procedures of hip replacement surgeries are quite similar to one another. Based on whether you are getting a total hip replacement or partial hip replacement the procedure changes slightly. So, to help you understand the overall process, here is a detailed step-by-step view of the hip replacement surgery.

Step 1 Preparation: Before a complicated surgery such as hip replacement, preparation is of major importance. Patients are put under several blood tests and imaging tests to understand if they are a suitable candidate for hip replacement. Once the tests are complete, patients are made aware of the changes they will face after the surgery. They are also made aware of the recovery process, how long it will take, and the steps they have to take to ensure safe recovery. Once all the steps and procedures are explained and the consent of the patient is taken, the surgery is prepped.

Step 2 Anaesthesia: The first step of the surgery is anaesthesia where patients are put under medication to help them sleep through the surgery. General anaesthesia is often used in case of hip replacement surgery, however, local anaesthesia can also be used for patients who are not suitable candidates for general anaesthesia. Once you are under anaesthesia, doctors start the surgery.

Step 3 Removal of Damaged Bone & Cartilage: The surgery begins with an incision made on the side or front of the hip to expose the joint. Based on the type of surgery you need, the size of the incision varies. Once the joint is exposed, doctors use several surgical tools to either cut off or grind off the diseased parts of the joint and create the cavity for the prosthetics. This process differs based on the type of surgery you are getting.

Step 4 Implant Placement: Once the damaged bones and cartilage is removed, the final part of the surgery commences. This process involves placing the prosthetic part in the same place of the removed joint and securing it to the bone. Based on the type of the surgery and the removed parts of the joint, the prosthetic parts are introduced to the body. These prosthetic parts are made from either plastic, ceramic, or in certain cases, a combination of both materials. Once the implants are secured to the body, the surgery is at its end stage.

Step 5 Surgery Completion & Recovery: The incisions are closed up with sutures and the patient is put out of anaesthesia gradually. A sterile dressing is applied on the surgery site. The recovery process begins as soon as the patient wakes up from anaesthesia. Based on the type of surgery, they are discharged from the hospital as early as a few hours after the surgery to a few days after the surgery.

Hip Replacement Surgery Benefits

A hip replacement surgery is one of the only treatment options available currently for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis since these conditions are untreatable. Hip replacement surgery for patients with joint degeneration is one of the only methods to alleviate the pain and mobility issues that are brought on by the condition. Here are some of the best hip replacement surgery benefits.

• Enhanced quality of life: A hip replacement surgery improves a patient’s ability to live their life normally. This surgery improves the pain they face, which helps improve sleep quality and overall health.
   
• Pain Relief: Pain is arguably one of the most important reasons patients require hip replacement surgery. It is one of the areas where patients experience the most benefits after the surgery as pain is virtually removed after the surgery.
   
• Protection Against Complications: For patients with hip fractures, getting a hip replacement protects them against the risk of arthritis developing on the broken part.
   
• Improved mobility: Getting a hip replacement helps patients move comfortably with an increased range of motion. You will be able to restart regular life activities again after the procedure without any problems once you are fully recovered.
   
• Durable Treatment: All modern hip replacements be it total or partial are durable and last for up to 20 years after the procedure. This ensures that patients are able to get lasting results from the surgery.

Conclusion

Now that you understand hip replacement surgery, it is crucial that you get your procedure done only from the top hospitals in the country. This will help you save yourself from any and all complications post-surgery and ensure a successful hip transplant. So, if you are looking for the best hip replacement surgery in Delhi, check out MASSH. 

We specialise in minimally invasive hip replacement procedures that have a lower recovery period and minimised risk profiles. Check out our website to learn more about our treatment options. If you are interested in availing the best treatment for your joint problems, feel free to visit us today. We are available 24/7 to help you get the best medical care for all your ailments.