| Hip replacement surgery usually is considered only | | | | There is also another procedure, traditional hip |
| after all other physical therapy and medication | | | | replacement, however that involves making deeper |
| alternatives have been exhausted. Individuals that are | | | | and longer incisions and splitting or detaching muscles |
| considered qualified candidates for receiving the | | | | from the hips to allow for dislocation. Then, a metal |
| surgery often have the following ailments/symptoms, | | | | stem is placed into the femur and the stem is |
| according to the Mayo Clinic: | | | | implanted with or without bone cement. Currently, |
| * Constant pain affecting sleep and rest | | | | the later is less apparent among hip replacement |
| * Receiving little or no relief after consuming pain | | | | surgery patients. |
| medications | | | | Hip Surgery Alternatives |
| * Difficulties standing from a seated position | | | | There are several types of alternative hip |
| * Difficulties walking up or down stairs | | | | replacement surgeries that can be considered |
| * Inability to continue everyday activities such as | | | | including the following: |
| walking because of extensive pain | | | | * physical therapy |
| Physicians believe that individuals suffering from the | | | | * walking aids |
| following should not be considered for a hip | | | | * anti-inflammatory drugs |
| replacement surgery: | | | | * cortisone injections |
| * Those who cannot adequately tolerate anesthesia | | | | * joint supplements |
| or surgery; individuals in very poor health. | | | | * hip resurfacing |
| * Are at high risk for infection, or currently suffering | | | | * hip fusion |
| from an ongoing infection. | | | | * resection anthroplasty (the bone around the hip |
| * Those with osteoporosis should not receive the | | | | joint is removed and allowed to fill with scar tissue) |
| surgery. | | | | * hip osteotomy (when the bones of the hip joint |
| * Obese or severely overweight individuals. | | | | are realigned) |
| * Individuals who are involved in physically demanding | | | | Overcoming Severe Hip Surgery Side Effects |
| sports or heavy manual labor are advised to abstain | | | | Hip replacement surgery is often associated with a |
| from the surgery. | | | | lengthy recovery period and individuals who have |
| Although nearly 90 percent of hip surgeries have a | | | | undergone the procedure, quite often patients find |
| positive outcome, there always exists an element of | | | | that a lengthy list of potential risks are associated |
| danger. In the past, hip replacement surgeries were | | | | with the procedure. These risks can include: |
| predominately for individuals who were 60 years of | | | | * blood clots |
| age or higher, however, technological advancements | | | | * infections near the site of the incision and in deeper |
| have allowed individuals much younger than this - | | | | tissue near the replaced hip |
| whether athletes or individuals suffering from | | | | * dislocation of the ball of the new joint |
| hereditary conditions or accidents - to receive a hip | | | | * loosening of new joint causing pain |
| replacement surgery. | | | | * breakage of the prosthesis (considered rare; |
| Although, surgeons and physicians still advise younger | | | | requiring additional replacement surgery) |
| individuals to abstain from hip replacement surgeries | | | | * changing of leg length (either shorter or longer) |
| unless absolutely necessary as very active individuals | | | | * joint stiffening as soft tissues around joint may |
| may wear out an artificial hip anywhere from 15 to | | | | hard |
| 20 years after the procedure. | | | | While most of these side effects are common |
| Components of Hip Surgery | | | | among hip replacement surgery patients, there have |
| The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons | | | | been recent, unexpected risks associated with |
| (AAOS) listed several components for hip surgery | | | | receiving the procedure. Zimmer Holdings, a |
| (also referred to as minimally invasive total hip | | | | manufacturer of hip replacement components, have |
| replacement) including removing the head of the | | | | ceased production of their Durom cup because it has |
| femur (femoral head) and replacing it with a | | | | allegedly failed in many patients. |
| ball-and-socket mechanism. | | | | Specifically, the cup, which is a hip socket has |
| Also, a metal or plastic socket shall be surgically | | | | malfunctioned and caused many of the 12,000 |
| placed into the pelvic bone, according to the Mayo | | | | recipients of the hip socket to undergo severe pain. |
| Clinic. It can be said that artificial hip replacement | | | | Individuals who are among the several thousand |
| components are: | | | | individuals who have received a Zimmer Durom cup |
| * hip replacement components are commonly made | | | | should seek medical attention immediately. Also, |
| of stainless steel or titanium | | | | contacting an experienced Durom cup lawyer is |
| * plastic and metal prosthetic parts are developed to | | | | advisable as a medical lawsuit may be necessary to |
| be durable and wear resistant | | | | receive monetary compensation for the damages |
| * prosthetic parts should also be designed to resist | | | | incurred by a victim of the faulty Durom cup. |
| corrosion, degradation and wear | | | | |