If arthritis in your hip causes you so much pain that it affects your quality of life and makes it difficult for you to stay mobile, your doctor might recommend hip surgery. A hip replacement removes your diseased joint and replaces it with an artificial joint so the source of your pain is removed. Here's how a total hip replacement procedure works.
You Might Receive General Anesthesia
Your doctor considers your general health and your wishes when deciding on the right type of anesthesia for your hip surgery. You might have general anesthesia and sleep throughout the procedure or you might have an epidural that numbs your lower body. In either case, you won't feel pain during the surgical procedure.
You Might Need A Hospital Stay
If you're in good general health and you tolerate the surgery well, you may go home once the anesthesia has worn off. However, it's possible you'll stay a day or two in the hospital. If the doctor thinks you might have trouble with your recovery at home, you might be transferred to a rehab unit in a skilled nursing facility when you're discharged from the hospital.
You Might Have Both Hips Done At The Same Time
The total hip replacement procedure can be done on both hips during the same hospital visit. However, the surgery takes longer, so your doctor has to decide if it's good for your health to have the two surgeries done together. An advantage of doing both hips at once is that you'll only have to go through the procedure and recovery period once.
You'll Get A New Ball And Socket Joint
A total hip replacement procedure involves removing damaged cartilage and replacing both the ball and socket of your hip joint. The procedure might be done in a minimally invasive way that uses small incisions and eliminates the need to cut through muscles and ligaments. The doctor might work through the front, side, or back of your hip area.
The surgeon might use stitches that dissolve and surgical glue to close the incisions so you won't have to have stitches removed later. After the procedure, you'll go to the recovery room to be monitored and then you'll be released when you're ready or transferred to a hospital room.
You Should Prepare Ahead Of Time For Recovery
You'll want to prepare your home for recovery before you go to the hospital for your total hip replacement procedure. You may want to move your bed downstairs, stock up on easy-to-heat meals, and arrange for someone to help you.
You probably won't be bedridden after the surgery. It's important for you to move around as best as you can so you can prevent complications and heal properly. Your doctor will give you complete instructions for recovery, and you'll probably go to physical therapy too.
If you need a hip replacement, reach out to a medical center, such as Adams County Regional Medical Center.
Share