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Hip replacement surgery
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YOUR ORTHOPAEDIC EVALUATION
Your hip surgery is recommended only after a careful diagnosis
of your hip problem, including your degree of pain and lack of
mobility.
YOUR HISTORY includes questions about
your hip pain, medications you may be taking , prior injury, and
other bone and joint problems you may have, such as rheumatoid
arthritis.
YOUR PHYSICAL EXAM includes assessing
the range of motion in your hip and observing how you walk, sit,
bend and move.
X-RAYS provide us with a picture of your
hip bones and joint. X-rays also help in the precise fitting of
your new hip.
JOINT ASPIRATION (removing a small amount
of fluid from the infected hip joint) may sometimes be performed
to check for infection.
WHY IS SURGERY NEEDED?
1. To alleviate pain.
2. To restore lost function.
3. To improve quality of life.
BEFORE SURGERY
Before surgery, you may need a general physical examination by
your regular doctor. In addition to following you doctorís
instructions, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself
for surgery. You may be asked to lose extra weight, since extra
weight puts extra stress on you new hip. You may be asked to avoid
aspirin for two weeks before surgery to minimise bleeding. You
will be asked to stop smoking to help decrease the chance of post-operative
lung complications.
BASIC FACTS ABOUT THE OPERATION
The diseased surfaces of the arthritic hip are removed, not the
entire hip, and the surfaces are replaced with artificial components.
Plastic or metal is used for the socket and metal or ceramic is
used for the stem. Ligaments and tendons are preserved, so it
is usually possible following a primary joint replacement, for
walking to start on or about the 3rd post-operative day.
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