| The procedure and technology associated with hip | | | | fully and x-ray guidance is used instead. |
| replacement surgery is continually being refined and | | | | The implants used in either method however are the |
| updated so as to meet the needs of the patients | | | | same. The implants are made of materials that permit |
| more effectively. | | | | the natural gliding motion of the hip joint. Metal, plastic |
| The hip joint is that part of the body where the | | | | and ceramics are some of the materials used. |
| thigh bone or femur meets the hip bone or pelvis. | | | | The implants can be fixed to the body in different |
| The head of the femur is shaped like a ball and this | | | | ways. In some cases the parts are attached to the |
| fits into a socket called the acetabulum on the hip | | | | healthy bones using bone cement. In others biological |
| bone. The ball moves within the socket allowing the | | | | fixation is used. Called the uncemented procedure, |
| person to perform a wide range of activities. When | | | | this involves parts which have a porous surface |
| the hip joint is affected by injury or disease, it | | | | through which the natural bone is encouraged to |
| becomes stiff and painful and the person's activities | | | | grow and hold the part in place. Hybrid replacements |
| are curtailed. | | | | use a combination of these two methods. |
| During hip replacement surgery the damaged parts of | | | | Preparation for hip replacement surgery starts a few |
| the hip are removed and man made implants are put | | | | weeks before the surgery is performed. The patient |
| in their place. The new artificial hip thus created is | | | | uses this time to clarify doubts, arrange finances and |
| expected to function in the same manner as the | | | | ready the home for life during rehabilitation. The |
| natural hip it has replaced. | | | | patient is advised to avoid aspirin and non-steroidal |
| In traditional hip replacement a long incision is made | | | | anti-inflammatory medicines as these may interfere |
| on the hip cutting through the muscle to expose the | | | | with the surgery. Pre-operative laboratory tests and |
| hip joint. Through this opening the damaged hip joint | | | | x-rays are also undertaken and the patient is put on |
| along with diseased bone and cartilage is removed. A | | | | antibiotics to counter post operative infections. |
| metal cup is then fixed to the pelvis and a metal | | | | Hip replacement surgery is a major operation. The |
| stem attached to the femur or thigh bone. A ball is | | | | patient thus has to be prepared that recovery will |
| placed on top of this stem and anti friction material is | | | | not be immediate and dramatic. Instead time, coupled |
| used to line all the exposed parts. The hip is then | | | | with medication and exercise will heal and a normal |
| reassembled and finally the incision is closed. | | | | active life can be regained gradually. The time taken |
| A newer technique called minimally invasive hip | | | | to recover completely for the surgery differs from |
| replacement proceeds differently. One or two small | | | | person to person. However a positive attitude can do |
| incisions are made instead of a large one and the | | | | wonders and hasten the recovery process |
| operation is performed with specialized instruments | | | | considerably. |
| through these openings. The hip joint is not exposed | | | | |