INTRODUCTION

This page is designed to provide information about total hip replacements and what to expect before and after this surgical procedure. Instructions are provided to help you prepare for surgery, recovery and rehabilitation. It is recommended that you read this booklet before your surgery and write down any questions you may have. If you have questions, please feel free to ask your consultant doctor. The doctor’s goals are to restore your hip to a painless, near functional status and to make your hospital stay as beneficial, informative, and comfortable as possible

Contents

• Total Hip Replacement
• Preparing for Surgery
• Pre-op Visit
• Day of Surgery
• After Surgery
• Home Exercises
  
  

  Total Hip Replacement

  Total hip replacement is a surgical procedure for replacing the hip joint. This joint is composed of two parts—the hip socket (acetabulum, a cup-shaped bone in the pelvis) and the “ball” or head of the thigh bone (femur). During the surgical procedure, these two parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with smooth artificial surfaces. The artificial socket is made of high-density plastic, while the artificial ball with its stem is made of a strong stainless metal. These artificial pieces are implanted into healthy portions of the pelvis and thigh bones and affixed with a bone cement (methyl methacrylate).
  
  Cement less total hip replacement
  
  An alternative hip prosthesis has been developed that does not require cement. This hip has the potential to allow bone to grow into it, this is an important consideration for the younger patient. In some cases, only one of the two components (socket or stem) may be fixed with cement and the other is cement less. This would be called a “Hybrid” hip prosthesis.
  
  When do we consider total hip replacements?
  
  Total hip replacements are usually performed for severe arthritic conditions. The operation is sometimes performed for other problems such as hip fractures or aseptic necrosis (a condition in which the bone of the hip ball dies). Most patients who have artificial hips are over 55 years of age, but the operation is occasionally performed on younger persons. Circumstances vary, but generally patients are considered for total hip replacements if:
  
  Pain is severe enough to restrict not only work and recreation, but also the ordinary activities of daily living

• Pain is not relieved by arthritis (anti-inflammatory) medicine, the use of a cane, and restricting activities

• Significant stiffness of the hip

• X-rays show advanced arthritis, or other problems
  
  

  What can be expected of a total hip replacement?

  A total hip replacement will provide complete or nearly complete pain relief in 90 to 95 percent of patients. It will allow patients to carry out many normal activities of daily living. The artificial hip may allow you to return to active sports or heavy labor under your physician’s instructions. Most patients with stiff hips before surgery will regain near-normal motion, and nearly all have improved motion.

  What are the risks of total hip replacement?

  Total hip replacement is a major operation. The effect of most complications is simply that the patient stays in the hospital longer. The most common complications are not directly related to the hip and do not usually affect the result of the operation. These include:
  
  
• Blood clots in the leg
• Blood clots in the lung
• Urinary infections or difficulty in urinating
• Complications that affect the hip are very un common, but in these cases, the operation may not be as successful:
• Difference in leg length
• Stiffness
• Dislocation of hip (ball pops out of socket)
• Infection in hip

A few of the complications, such as infection or dislocation, may require re-operation.