Hip Replacement: Procedure, Recovery, Cost and Is It Safe?

The hip joint is a spheroidal joint that often gets damaged easily. Sometimes, one experiences immense and recurring pain in the hip region due to a damaged hip socket or the femoral head of the thighbone due to several reasons.

Hip replacement treatment is utilized to replace the damaged ball and socket joint with artificial ones. It lasts for years and is often advised for adults. Durable and safe synthetic parts are constructed to imitate the natural ball and socket joint. Hip replacement is advised only when other methods like medications, physiotherapy, or braces do not work properly.

Summary: Hip replacement procedure refers to the replacement of a damaged ball and socket joint to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It can be attained by different procedures.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)’s members and experts say that most people undergoing hip replacement age between 50 and 80. The primary reason is hip arthritis which breaks down the cartilage.

Cartilage cushions bones to withstand pain and prevent decay. The absence of cartilage leads to the bones rubbing with each other. Rubbing the bones can provoke severe pain. Some typical conditions that lead to hip replacement include:-

• Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Traumatic arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome
• Hip dislocation or fracture
• Developmental hip dysplasia
• Neoplasms
• Tumors in and around the hip joint

• Medication does not help alleviate hip pain
• One experiences pain when walking even with a cane or walker
• Hip pain affects the ability to climb up or down the stairs
• One cannot sleep with the excessive pain
• Standing from a seated position is painful

Summary: People who suffer from immense pain and discomfort in the hip area due to several causes and medications are not able to provide them relief must go for hip replacement surgery.

Not every case is the same and the type of hip replacement surgery needed depends on a lot of factors. Your condition needs to be scrutinized by your medical advisor before any diagnosis plan. The common types of hip replacement surgery based on the parts to be replaced are:-

• Total Hip Replacement - The complete ball and socket are replaced in total hip replacement surgery.
• Partial Hip Replacement - In partial hip replacement surgery, only the ball is substituted.

A hip replacement surgery can also be categorized based on how the surgeon accesses the hip:

• Anterior approach to hip replacement
• Lateral approach to hip replacement
• Posterior approach to hip replacement

Summary: Hip replacement surgery is categorized into some groups to meet the demands of several patients. The above-stated types are crucial ones.

If hip pain affects your lifestyle, you should consider hip replacement surgery. However, doctors will try to approach the problem using medicines, braces, physiotherapy, and methods other than surgery.

Only if these methods do not work, does the doctor consider hip replacement surgery. If your hip pain affects your life and shows the following complications, make sure to consult your doctor:

• Disruption in sleep due to hip pain
• Inability to climb up and down stairs
• Difficulty in participating in daily activities

Summary: We can take this decision after consulting with a doctor. We should discuss our pain and discomfort with the doctor.

As discussed, if your hip pain affects the quality of your life, you should see a doctor. The doctor might not immediately ask you to undergo hip replacement surgery. Your medical health provider will prescribe some medications to manage the situation. However, if these do not work, they will go ahead with a hip replacement.

Summary: If we find difficulty in carrying out a normal lifestyle due to continuous pain then we must consult a doctor.

A hip replacement surgery is necessary when the ball and socket joint is damaged. It might also happen due to the breaking down of cartilage, which might cause the bones to wear out. If your hip mobility is reduced and you’re in pain even when resting, doctors consider and choose to go with hip replacement.

Summary: If a person is suffering from recurring pain and discomfort in the hip area while moving around, must need hip replacement surgery. There are several possible causes for it to happen.

Your doctor will recommend hip replacement surgery when medications do not work and your hip pain keeps on hampering your daily lifestyle. Some common hip replacement symptoms that you should look out for include:-

• Pain in your groin or front hip area

• Pain even when resting

• Pain during climbing up or down the stairs

• Pain in the hindquarters and trochanteric region

• Reduced range of hip movements

• Difficulty in sleeping

• Difficulty when bending to tie shoes, wear socks, or other regular movements

Summary: There are various reasons lying behind hip replacement surgery. Pain and discomfort are some of the common causes.

The standard cause of the surgery is an injury to the spheroid joint. It is recommended only when other methods to control the condition do not work. Generally, the surgery is performed under spinal (you’re awake but your lower body has no sensations) or general anesthesia (you will be asleep).

Your doctor might give you an epidural which is very similar to spinal anesthesia. Once the anesthesia is complete, the doctor will make an incision of up to 30 cm over your hip side. Then, your femur's upper part is removed and the natural head socket is hollowed out.

The surgeon proceeds to fit a socket into the pelvic hollow and a metal shaft with a smooth ball on the upper end is placed into the femur hollow. It is fixed using a bone ‘cement’ and is used to replicate the bone and socket structure of the original hip joint.

Summary: Doctors follow specified methods for surgery. It starts with administering anesthesia then the incision is done and after applying various steps doctors complete the surgery.

Hip replacement surgery implants and devices are made of different materials and bearing surfaces, such as:

• Ceramic Ball and Socket with Metal Lining

• Ceramic Ball and Socket with Ceramic Lining

• Ceramic Ball and Socket with Plastic/Polyethylene Lining

• Metal Ball and Socket with Plastic/Polyethylene Lining

Your surgeon will determine the type of implant based on your risk of future complications, medical history, and condition.

Summary: Metals, ceramics, plastic, etc. are some of the commonly used materials used for constructing surgical implants and devices

Hip replacement can be classified based on the types of socket implant attachment including

• Uncemented prosthesis - The implants are attached with a permeable surface allowing the bone to develop over a period and hold it in position.

• Cemented prosthesis - A material known as bone cement is utilized to connect the transplant to the bone.

Both cemented and uncemented approaches are viable and safe. In some cases, your surgeon might also combine these methods.

Summary: Different prostheses are employed in different hip replacement surgical procedures. It is categorized as cemented as well as uncemented prosthesis.

Before hip replacement surgery is performed, the patients are put under anesthesia. It helps reduce the sensation of pain. One might experience some inflammation and pain that can be diminished with the help of treatments and restoratives.

Generally, surgical pain can persist between two to four weeks after the surgery. The time varies from person to person and depends on several exterior elements. You can speed up recovery by following some common precautionary methods.

Summary: Yes, hip replacement surgery is quite painful but it is reduced to a certain extent by anesthesia application. Pain is often felt during post-surgical duration too.

A few possible immediate side-effects of hip replacement surgery include:-

• Bleeding and Blood Clots - After surgery, one is at an increased risk of experiencing bleeding and blood clots. Clots can easily form in the leg veins which can be harmful. A portion of the clot might split and travel to organs like the brain, heart, or lungs. Ensure to avoid blood thinning medications to further reduce the risk of the same.

• Infection - Infection at the site of the surgical incision and in deeper tissues near the hip is a possible complication. Antibiotics can easily treat the condition to avoid spreading the infection.

• Fracture and Dislocation - Some healthy portions of the hip might fracture during surgery. Small fractures can be treated on their own, but larger fractures need to be stabilized medically. A large range of movement can cause the ball to come out and dislocate. Small dislocations can be corrected. However, if one experiences frequent dislocations, surgery is needed to stabilize the condition.

Summary: Hip replacement surgery may lead to some immediate complications. The above-stated issues are some of the common aftereffects.

Hip replacement surgery is very safe but every surgical procedure involves certain risks. It is better to consult your surgeon to understand the risks the surgery would entail. The medical team at Pristyn Care will ensure their best to reduce complications (if any) and will help you make a quick recovery.

Summary: Hip replacement surgery is quite safe but we must get it done by an experienced or specialized doctor. We can also consult doctors prior to the surgery to ensure safety methods.

Most patients can be released on the same day as the procedure. However, your hospital might detain you for three to five days to monitor any changes. You can get back your full range of motion with the help of a physiotherapist and a strong support system.

Full recovery from a hip replacement surgery might take two to three months. Remember that indulging in high-impact activities can be very stressful.

Summary: The recovery period after hip replacement surgery is not the same for every patient. However, it may take three months to recover completely.

The success rate of hip replacement surgery is more than 95% which is why it is considered to be a safe procedure.

Summary: The success rate of hip replacement is considered quite good.

Hip replacement surgery cost depends on several factors like the expertise of the medical team and the hospital's infrastructure. However, the average cost of hip replacement treatment in India is lower than that in the US and UK. The average cost is INR 2,50,000, whereas the minimum and maximum costs are INR 60,000 and INR 8,00,000, respectively.

Summary: The cost of hip-replacement surgery is quite high-priced. It may range from 50,000 to 3 lacks approximately.

You should include a healthy, balanced diet to ensure quick recovery after a surgical procedure. Some bone-healing foods that can help you recover after a hip replacement surgery include:-

• Protein - At least 50% of our bone volume consists of protein making it a crucial element to include in our diet. Vegetarian sources of protein include - chia seeds, soybean, quinoa, spinach, beans, and lentils. Some non-vegetarian sources of protein include - poultry, egg and dairy products, meat, and seafood.

• Calcium - Calcium boosts the bone formation and is another essential in a post-surgery recovery diet. Some common foods that have high calcium content include dairy products like yogurt and milk and dark leafy vegetables like spinach.

• Vitamin D and Vitamin C - Vitamin D boosts the person's capability to absorb calcium. Some sources of Vitamin D include - dairy products, fatty fish, and salmon. Additionally, Vitamin C has great antioxidant properties that can help prevent infection. Foods that are rich in Vitamin C include - strawberries and other citrus foods.

Summary: While recovering from hip replacement surgery, we must watch what we eat. Eating strawberries, dairy products, lemon, salmon, etc, are good options.

To help your body recover naturally and prevent any negative effects of bone-healing foods, some foods that you should avoid include -

• Caffeine,
• Alcohol,
• Processed foods,
• Excessive sugar, and salt.

These can slow down the healing capacity of your body and lead to the depletion of nutrients. Try to eat natural foods to acquire nutrients so that the body can efficiently absorb them.

Summary: Some foods like junk and processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol must be excluded from our diet. They act as a barrier in recovery processes.

Most patients can resume their daily lifestyle after about 3-6 weeks of the medical procedure. However, one needs to make sure that one shouldn’t perform high-impact exercises. Regular exercises that do not strain the surgery site and a balanced diet can help you make a quick recovery.

Summary: It may require almost 2 months to come back to a normal lifestyle. Regular exercise can help the patients to walk normally.

Studies suggest that over 90% of hip replacement implants work even after 10 to 15 years after the surgery. For exact facts and figures, refer to the points below:

• 60% of hip replacement surgeries last over 25 years

• 70% of surgeries last at least 20 years

• 90% of hip replacement procedures last over 15 years

Summary: Hip replacement surgery usually provides permanent results. Nevertheless, it can change according to how severe the symptoms are.

Your doctor will create a detailed post-treatment recovery plan to help you get back to your day-to-day activities as fast as possible. Doctors will include rehabilitation and physical therapy immediately after surgery.

They will monitor your strength and flexibility to check whether the recovery is working for you or not. Your physical therapist will follow this recovery process to help you regain your strength and return to your daily lifestyle.

Summary: Post-treatment guidelines after hip replacement treatment often include physical therapy and some other methods. To speed up healing, these are crucial and must be followed.

Hip replacement surgery takes place under anesthesia which can have several risks and complications. These can happen immediately after surgery or several years later:

• Bleeding and Blood Clots

• Infection

• Loosening and breakage of implants

• Change in leg length

• Weakness and fracture

• Dislocation and stiffness

Summary: Apart from all benefits, hip replacement surgery causes some side effects too. They can be experienced sooner or later after the surgery.

Hip replacement surgeries are highly successful and reports suggest complete elimination of pain after a few years. Out of all complications mentioned, the most common is dislocation of the hip implants.

However, new prosthetics are comparatively safer and the chances of riskier complications like blood clots are reduced. Ensure that you do not indulge in high-impact activities and keep obesity at bay to avoid excess pressure on the implants.

Summary: It is often observed that result of hip replacement surgery is very much successful. It helps to eradicate the pain and discomfort gradually.

Some common tips to keep in mind after a hip replacement procedure comprise:-

• Do not avoid moving and resting as per your physiotherapist's guidelines

• Do not bend your upper body or at the waist (not more than 90 degrees)

• Do not sit cross-legged or lift your knees up

• Do not put stress on your hips by twisting or bending them

Summary: The above-stated points must be made after Hip replacement surgery. We must be careful about the affected area.

Full recovery from hip replacement depends on a person's medical record and circumstances. A general duration is around three months after the surgery. However, most people can observe improvements in the first year. It will help reduce pain and increase the range of motion for better recovery

Summary: Depending on the patient's condition, complete healing and progress may take some time. However, the success rate of surgery is quite good.