| Following on from last week's letter about the best | | | | The new section is made from carbon hardened |
| ways to prevent and treat the pain and symptoms | | | | steel. Steve Backley, the Olympic javelin champion, |
| of arthritis, I've received a number of emails from | | | | had this procedure in 2005 and stated that it has |
| people worried about the effectiveness and problems | | | | allowed him to return to full and normal pain-free |
| connected with hip replacement surgery. | | | | mobility. |
| So, let's start with the facts: There are | | | | - Magnetic Hip - A revolutionary new technique |
| approximately 65,000 hip operations in the U.K. every | | | | containing a magnet that helps the prosthetic last |
| year, all of which carry certain risks. | | | | three times as long. It's currently undergoing |
| In the past, it was difficult for those under 60 to | | | | laboratory testing and should start clinical trials on |
| receive a new hip as the lifespan of the replacement | | | | NHS patients within three years. |
| was only 10 to 15 years which meant there was the | | | | Once again, it is vitally important that you speak to |
| probability of replacements in the future. | | | | your surgeon about all the options available. |
| Thankfully, new techniques and materials can now | | | | If you are not completely satisfied with your |
| provide a lifelong expectancy for the new hip. Added | | | | surgeon's answers, then either insist on an official |
| to that there are also many new preventative | | | | NHS printed list of possible risks, or utilise your right |
| treatments used to reduce the risks of | | | | to ask for a second opinion. |
| post-operative problems. | | | | Never forget you're the patient, its your body, its |
| Blood clots and infections are the most common | | | | your life - don't be afraid to ask! |
| post-operative problems. These are normally | | | | Obviously, as I've been saying all along, it's up to you |
| treatable, but you should discuss all the potential | | | | to take care of your own health, especially your |
| problems that could arise with your surgeon. | | | | joints. This is vitally important if you want to ensure |
| You should be aware that: | | | | good health and mobility well into old. |
| According to NHS Direct, post operative infections | | | | For those of you that already feel the early onset of |
| can be as high as 10%. | | | | any arthritic hip problems, you must consult your |
| 2. A recent study in the Journal of Bone and Joint | | | | doctor immediately and be proactive in treating the |
| Surgery found that blood clotting statistics after hip | | | | pain and dealing with lost tissue and grinding joints. |
| and knee replacement surgery were as follows: | | | | If you are middle aged , and especially if you have |
| O.25% suffered pulmonary embolism (obstruction of | | | | suffered from any sporting injuries or endured an |
| an artery by a clot of blood or an air bubble). | | | | arduous working life, you really must consider taking |
| O.4% suffered painful symptoms of deep vein | | | | action now to stave off any joint problems, |
| thrombosis | | | | especially with your hips. |
| 5.2 % suffered painless symptoms of deep vein | | | | TOP TIPS FOR HIPS: |
| thrombosis | | | | - Weight loss - I know its obvious, but relieving the |
| *Also you must remember that all forms of hip | | | | stress on the joints is vital to retaining healthy tissue |
| replacement usually require a period of 18 to 24 | | | | around the joint. |
| months for the new hip to fully knit and this usually | | | | - Water exercise - The buoyancy of the water |
| causes varying degrees of pain and discomfort during | | | | allows for comfortable movement and gentle |
| that time | | | | exercise for the hip area. |
| TYPES OF HIP REPLACEMENT: | | | | - Hydrotherapy - A good physiotherapist can suggest |
| - Plastic socket and metal ball - this method is now | | | | a regime of warm water therapy that will alleviate |
| becoming out dated because the plastic wears away | | | | pain and stress on the joint. |
| over the years, leading to further replacements | | | | - Strengthening exercises - Again a good |
| every 10 to 15 years. | | | | physiotherapist can help you to build up the muscles |
| - Metal on metal - The ball and socket are made | | | | around the affected joint. This will help you with your |
| from cobalt chrome and all the evidence shows that | | | | posture and mobility. |
| there is no significant wear and tear over time. | | | | - Artrosilium - Once again I would refer you to the all |
| Therefore, the new hip should last a lifetime. Some | | | | natural product Artrosilium that I mentioned here last |
| people have expressed fears about cobalt/chrome | | | | week- its proven to help relieve the pain and even |
| ions being released into the body, but as yet there is | | | | help rebuild lost tissue (and with no side effects!) |
| no evidence to support that. | | | | - I would recommend the regular application of |
| - Ceramic on ceramic (aluminum oxide) - again, this will | | | | Artrosilium combined with a daily dose of Arthritis |
| last a lifetime and has even less wear and tear than | | | | Power Formula. |
| metal and has a minuscule risk of shattering. | | | | Together they provide a potent arthritis busting |
| However, some experts believe that this is the best | | | | team that is completely natural and safe to take. |
| material for younger, more active patients. | | | | Remember that arthritis is a particularly cruel condition |
| - Hip resurfacing - Lasts for life, with no drilling into | | | | and can hit anybody at anytime, irrespective of your |
| the femur required and it preserves the healthy bone. | | | | past physical history - arthritis does not discriminate!!! |