Total hip replacement restores joint mobility, improves hip function, and alleviates pain. The surgery involves replacing the entire hip joint (total hip replacement) or just the damaged parts of the hip joint (partial hip replacement) with a prosthesis.
The implants can be made of ceramic, metal, or hard plastic and are designed to last for years. Total hip replacement surgery in Thane, also known as hip arthroplasty, is commonly performed in patients with arthritis and severe injuries, specifically when other non-invasive treatments have been unsuccessful.
Common Reasons for Total Hip Replacement
Let’s explore the top reasons that make hip replacement surgery a suitable treatment.
- Osteoarthritis: With age, your cartilage (the structure that cushions your hip joints) wears away, leading to immense pain as you move your joints. When the cartilage is gone, your bones rub against each other, making even the regular movements painful. The condition is called osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: While osteoarthritis occurs with age in most cases, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that triggers your hyperactive immune system to destroy your hip joints, cartilage, and sometimes, bones. The damage occurs to the point where it’s difficult to move the joint without pain.
- Avascular Necrosis: Total hip replacement is also recommended as a treatment for patients with avascular necrosis, a medical condition in which the bones and tissues die. The blood supply to your hips can be cut off from an injury, fracture, excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged use of steroids, and certain illnesses, like sickle cell disease.
Symptoms Indicating the Need for Surgery
Arthritis, an injury that has damaged the ball and socket of the hip joint, or a medical condition that can lead to bone death, are some common cases where total hip replacement is recommended. Other than that, if you experience the below-listed symptoms, it’s best to discuss the surgery with a professional total hip replacement surgeon in Thane.
- Persistent pain that won’t get better with medication or is intolerable.
- You can’t move without walking support, and even a cane or other walking aids can’t help alleviate pain during movements.
- You can’t sleep due to the discomfort.
- You can’t get up from a seated position.
If the hip pain has made your movements difficult, it’s time to consider a total hip replacement surgery. New implants enable patients to practice a normal range of movements and live a painless life.
Non-surgical Treatment Options
Your doctor may want to explore non-surgical treatment options before advising hip replacement. They might start with medication, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and lifestyle adjustments initially. If the pain doesn’t improve or is restricting your physical activities, you can discuss surgical treatment.
Determining the Right Time for Surgery
There isn’t a specific time for hip replacement. Some people go on to live a healthy life with corticosteroid injections that offer relief from pain and inflammation for weeks and months, while others with severe arthritis or fractures might need immediate surgery. It’s advisable to weigh the benefits and risks of surgical treatment before making a decision.
