Life-restoring Hip Replacement Surgery
benefits of hip replacement surgery
Hip replacement surgery can be a life-changing procedure, providing relief from pain, reducing stiffness, and equalising leg lengths. The benefits can include improved mobility, quality of life, and long-term health.
Improved Pain Relief
One of the main symptoms patients experience prior to hip replacement surgery is severe pain in the hip area. Most patients who undergo surgery experience complete, or near-complete relief from arthritic hip pain.
Improved Mobility
By replacing the damaged sections of your hip joint and replacing it with a prosthetic, patients are able to enjoy an increased range of motion and improved mobility. Everyd
Better Quality of Life
Hip replacement surgery helps patients regain their independence allowing them to resume day-to-day activities that were once limited by arthritic hip conditions.
Overall Health Benefits
A study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggested that receiving a total hip replacement can reduce mortality rates, heart failure, diabetes, and depression.
Hip replacement surgery, or total hip replacement, is performed frequently, and while technically demanding, patients can expect good results with minimal complications. Hip replacement surgery is designed to replace arthritic hips and support other hip conditions such as fractures, avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteonecrosis. The surgery is recommended if you have hip pain that limits everyday activities or inadequate pain relief from anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy or walking supports.
A thorough evaluation is conducted by your surgeon before surgery is considered and includes an analysis of your medical history, a physical examination, X-rays and MRIs. Hip replacement surgery requires hospital admission a day prior or the morning of your operation with final check-ins from your orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and the specialist physician to prepare you for your operation.
During the surgery, the ball and socket joint are replaced by an artificial joint by cementing a stainless steel stem and plastic cup into the specified bones with methacrylate. The artificial joint can also be inserted without cement with the ingrowth of the bone.
The road to making a full recovery involves some rest and a home recovery programme. Hip replacement surgery requires long-term follow-ups with your surgeon to avoid the risk of complications.
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Total Hip Replacement Guide
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What to expect during recovery?
During your hospitalisation, you will have access to the surgical team, physiotherapy as well as nursing personnel who will guide you along the road to recovery. After your surgery, a triangular cushion will be placed between your legs to prevent dislocation. An oxygen mask or nose cannulas must be worn until the next morning.
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It is critical to start your deep breathing and calf muscle exercises as soon as the anesthesia wears off – approx 3 – 4hours from inception. Foot pumps will be applied to increase blood flow and prevent blood clotting before the early mobilisation process begins. The process has a major role to play in recovery and rehabilitation resulting in better health, decreased blood clots and pain relief.
To improve circulation, you will be fitted with elastic support stockings which should be worn on both legs for 2 weeks after your surgery. Further X-rays and tests will be conducted the morning after, where you will be introduced to your rehabilitation programme before being discharged approximately 1 – 3 days after your operation.
Our Patient’s FAQs
The most common questions about hip replacement surgery answered by Dr. Allan Van Zyl.
How long does surgery take?
Surgery can take approximately one and half hours, although the total time that you will be in theatre is closer to two and half hours.
Is there anything I can do prior to surgery?
There are a number of things that patients can do while they wait for their operation date. This includes losing weight which reduces the risk of complications, using prescribed pain killers to mitigate the pain, visiting the dentist and reducing the amount of nicotine intake in the event of smokers. You can also start a strengthening program with your physio or bio.
What are the long-term limitations once surgery is successful?
Most of the positional precautions must be adhered to for the rest of one's life. The first 3 months of physical therapy must be maintained. Do not apply excessive stress on your artificial hip and avoid climbing stairs without a handrail, jumping, jogging, running, lifting heavy objects and walking long distances on loose soil or sand. Low impact sports such as walking, swimming, cycling, golf and bowls are safe lifestyle decisions.
What are the complications of hip replacement surgery?
Although hip replacement operations are safe and reliable, problems may arise. Such complications include dislocation (1% occurance), infections, deep vein thrombosis, wear and loosening of the artificial hip and nerve problems.
What kind of physiotherapy is involved during recovery?
Your surgeon, physician and physiotherapist will compile a physiotherapy programme which involves deep breathing exercises, calf muscle exercises, learning how to get in and out of bed, early mobilisation (sitting, walking and climbing stairs) as well as muscle strengthening exercises.
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Get in Touch with the Orthodoc
Make an appointment with Dr. Allan van Zyl with our online booking platform or contact the admin team for more information about our procedures.
