Hip Replacement

Normal Hip Joint : The Hip Joint is a joint which allows movement between the thigh bone (Femur) and the Hip bone (Pelvis). The bones are covered by a smooth shiny surface called the cartilage. This facilitates painless free mobility in all directions and planes. The cartilage acts a cushion (shock absorber).

Arthritic Hip : Wear & tear of the cartilage leads to arthritis, which is painful, as the damaged bones rub against each other. Patients feel pain in the groin and buttock area. Patients may also develop a limp. An arthritic hip hampers daily activities.

THR : It means Total Hip Replacement Surgery. It is being done for the past thirty years. The results are improving every year. In an arthritic hip the cartilage is worn out. The ball and the surface of the cup are replaced to restore the smooth gliding movements. Most patients will have THR without cement but in some cases cement is required for fixation. Excellent results are expected in 90 to 95 percent of patients at the end of 15 years and more.

Indications : Common indications in our country are : Avascular necrosis (AVN), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondilytis and after severe injury to the hip joint. Degenerative disorders needing THR are not very common.

Goals : The goals of THR surgery are first and fore-most to restore motion to the hip and ultimately help the patient walk without a limp and pain.

Before Coming : Hari Bandhu Hospitals will notify you when to arrive for admission prior to THR. Please bring a list of your current medications, their dosage and medical information from your physician regarding adverse reaction to anesthesia in the past. Bring all the x-rays of your hip and other relevant medical records. A complete medical history and thorough examination will be done and if needed special tests may be done prior to surgery. Pre-Operative ECG, blood counts and blood clotting functions will be tested and in case of patients with high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus, additional blood test may be done.

Medication : Medicines used for arthritis like asprin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naprosyn or any other anti-clotting mechanism and hence need to be stopped 4-5 days before surgery. Paracetamol may be used as it has no effect no blood cloting. Iron pills may be prescribed twice a day a month prior to surgery to improve the blood haemoglobin. They may cause constipation, which can be overcome by soluble fibre foods and fruit juices. Some patients may need mild laxatives like milk of magnesia.

Anaesthesia : Our Anaesthesiologist will meet you and discuss the options of general anaesthesia and spinal anaesthesia along with their pros and cons. The type of the anaesthesia and its safety will be decided by the anaesthesiologists. No surgery is painless. After your surgery, Pain Clinic Specialists will relieve your post operative pain and make you comfortable.

Surgery : Our anesthetists will make you comfortable throughout the surgical procedure, which lasts for about one and a half hours. After surgery you will be shifted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) for observation. Our physicians and nursing staff will monitor your progress round the clock for 24 hours. After your condition is stabilized you will be shifted to a room. Anti coagulants which prevent blood clots will be given for 7 days after surgery.

Pain Management : The Pain Clinic Specialists will regularly visit to make you comfortable. Usually up to the second day after the operation, your pain medication given as injections are replaced with oral medicines.