With the wear and tear of man-made machines, our human bodies also undergo health issues as we age and are replaced by machine-made organs.

Hip replacement is also called arthroplasty. This procedure intends to get back to daily routine activities with less pain. In this surgical procedure, an orthopaedic surgeon removes the diseased parts of the hip and replaces them with new artificial parts that mimic the functions of the typical hip joint. The main parts of hip replacement which fit against bone are the socket, and the stem, which is made of metal. The surgeon primarily uses a combination of artificial pieces to replace the hip joint. For instance: 

• A metal ball with a plastic socket lining.
• A ceramic ball with a plastic socket lining.
• A ceramic ball with a ceramic socket lining.

After the hip surgery, the pain is reduced, but the patient has to follow a few restrictions for a lifetime. 

• Getting up and moving around should be avoided
• Bending at the waist for more than 90 degrees should be avoided
• Lifting the knee above the hip should be avoided
• Should avoid crossing the legs
• Twisting at the hip should be avoided
• Rotating the feet too far inward or outward should be avoided

The main activity which has to be increased gradually is going out of the home during the first few weeks after the surgery. Too much activity causes swollen and painful hips. The surgeons advise their patients to walk only a few hundred yards throughout the day till six weeks post-surgery. If the patient walks too much, this creates stress and loosens the new implants before ingrowth.

Another precaution is to avoid sleeping on the operated side for at least six weeks. Especially older elders should avoid bending the hip or lifting the knee above the hip level. Avoid a deep or low chair as they will be in a high knee position. 

Dislocation can be caused by specific movements such as crossing legs or walking with toes turned inside. Another risk of dislocation is caused by running, jumping, and high-impact sports involving lots of twisting, such as basketball and racquetball.

Conclusion: The patients should compulsorily do a few exercises for a lifetime, with this the patients get relieved from post-surgical pain and even the newly replaced hip joint becomes flexible in due course. 

FAQs

1.  How can I know that my new hip replacement is damaged?

With these symptoms, you can understand that your new hip replacement is damaged:

• Pain around the hip or thigh.
• Swelling and discolouration of the hip or thigh.
• Inability to bear the weight on the injured leg.
• The injured leg appears shorter or deformed.

2. How to know if the hip replacement failed?

The typical symptoms when total hip replacement fails are a pain in the hip or thigh and limited mobility. 

3.  Why does the new hip replacement get damaged?

Age is the primary reason for hip fractures, and the success rate also depends on the patient’s health condition. The replaced hip may get damaged when you fall, a direct blow to the hip, or a car crash. Few medications weaken the bone, which increases the risk of these fractures.

4. Is it recommended to sit on a recliner after hip surgery?

Straight back with armrests are always safe, whereas recliners and sofas are not recommended after hip replacement surgery as they are not supportive and limit the range of motion.

5. How much time does it take for the bone to grow into the hip replacement?

When the prosthesis is not cemented into the place properly, it is necessary to allow the femur bone to grow into the implant so the hip joint can withstand the weight and walk without crutches. This whole procedure takes about four to six weeks.

6. Can I climb stairs after hip replacement?

Climbing the stairs is difficult during recovery, but you can go up and down stairs under supervision.

Dr Anjani Kumar is a qualified MBBS, Ms orthopaedics surgeon with 20 years of experience. He has performed 2000 knee replacement surgeries, 350 hip replacement surgeries, and 500 pelvic acetabular surgeries successfully, his other specializations are revision surgeries, pelvic acetabular fractures, knee fractures, and ligament injuries. He worked at Vijayawada Govt, General Hospital, and then he worked at St. Johns Medical College, Bengaluru. He is currently working at Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals as Senior Consultant.