12 facts about hip replacement you need to know

Planning to get a hip replacement? Here is all you need to know about it.

If you are contemplating hip replacement, here are a few facts you need to know.

Fact #1: Hip replacement is not the first line of treatment

Hip replacement is often offered to people who suffer from osteoarthritis in the hip, a condition where the bone decays and degrades steadily. Sometimes it is also suggested to people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or other injury. However, this is not the first line of treatment. Your doctor might suggest other forms of treatments like walking with aids, medication or physiotherapy to ensure that you stay pain-free and avoid going under the knife, unless necessary. Hip replacement is always the last line of treatment, when all other treatment modes have failed to yield result. Here are few reasons of hip pain that you should know about.

Fact #2: Man-made hips are smaller than normal hips

Once you have gone through the painful procedure of hip replacement, remember there can be certain complications. The most common complication that could arise is dislocation of the artificial hip. This is because man-made hips are smaller than artificial hips and the ball can come out of the socket if the joint is stressed. Usually, this happens while doing exercises which need you to pull your knees close to the chest.

Fact #3: Your body might reject the artificial hip

Though, this phenomenon is not common these days, there are rare cases in which the body reacts to the artificial hip causing inflammation or degradation of the supporting bones. This gives rise to infection and clotting in the area, making the joints become lose with time. Medication and physical therapy can be of help in such cases. However, in an extreme case, surgery might be needed to replace the hip again. Read to know if stem cell therapy can replace joint replacement therapy.

Fact #4: You don t start walking immediately after a hip replacement surgery

If you feel that you can get off your bed, walk, run, and stand for long hours immediately after a hip replacement surgery, you are wrong. In reality you might need help of walking aids like crutches, walking stick or wheel chair to move around, at least for the first couple of months. This is more evident with people who undergo total hip replacement. It takes some time for the artificial hip to get used to your body and vice versa. So don t expect an immediate transformation. It might take you a day or two to be able to sit on your own. Did you know that low birth weight babies are more prone to hip fractures in future.

Fact #5: After a hip replacement it is important to work on muscle strength

Since you will now depend on artificial hips for movement, it is important that you work on muscle strength. Meet a physiotherapist to work on an exercise plan that will strengthen the muscles of your hips, back and thighs; this will support your artificial hip and take pressure off the hips while in use.

Fact #6: You should meet a lung specialist right after the surgery

This will help ensure that there is no fluid clogged into your lungs, which could be a side-effect of the surgery. You will be asked to breathe deeply, cough, and blow into a device to check for your lung function.

Fact #7: You will learn new ways of walking

You might have to work on your gait to be able to walk. Your physiotherapist will train you to walk, bend and sit on a couch without hurting your hips. It is imperative that you learn these techniques to help yourself move around without any assisted aids.

Fact #8: You must keep your hands free for balance

As you learn new ways of walking, don t take things for granted. When you go out on your own, keep your hands free to hold on to a support when needed. To do this, use a sling bag or a back pack to carry your stuff.

Fact #9: Hip replacement comes with risks of other diseases

Though it has its benefits, it could also trigger an infection, blood clot and other health crisis. People with a heart condition or poorly controlled diabetes are more at risk.

Fact #10: Hip replacement is not suggested to just ease pain

It is important that before opting for the surgery, you be sure about the nature of the pain you suffer from. In case your pain is due to a nerve or muscle problem, hip replacement won t help. Get an MRI done to ascertain the cause of the pain before going under the knife.

Fact #11: After hip replacement, your life will never be the same again

Remember, even though hip replacement can help you get rid of your pain, move around with or without support, there will still be some amount of stiffness and immobility in the new hip. Instead, be realistic and try to do the best you can with the artificial hip.

Fact #12: You might have to revamp your house after the surgery

Setting up railings on the staircase or the bathroom will help you move without the fear of falling or slipping. You might also have to get some shelf placed within the reach of your hands to place your things, so you don t strain your hips.

Image source: Getty image

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