Hip replacement surgery was first performed in 1960, and it has now become one of the most important surgical advances of the last century. The hip is one of the body's largest weight-bearing joints and more than 193,000 Americans have a hip replacement every year.
How the Hip Works
In layman's terms, the hip bone's connected to the thighbone, which is connected to the pelvic bone and when their world is spinning in greased grooves, all is right with your hip. In medical terms it's a tad more complicated. The hip is made up of two main parts--a ball (femoral head) at the top of the thighbone (femur) that fits into a rounded socket (acetabulum) in the pelvis. Ligaments connect the ball to the socket and make the joint stable. In order to prevent the bones from rubbing on each other and causing extreme discomfort, they have a smooth cover of cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. This cartilage also makes them move easily. The other surfaces are covered by a smooth tissue called synovial membrane. In a healthy hip, the synovial fluid produced by this membrane lubricates the hip and prevents friction.
Causes of Hip Pain
There are two main causes of chronic hip pain---fractures and arthritis. Hip fractures usually occur after a fall, especially in older people. However, anyone can slip on ice, have a sports injury or get into a car accident. Those are some of the causes of a hip fracture. The most common cause of chronic hip pain, however, is arthritis. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions the hip bones wears away and the bones rub against each other. In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed, produces too much synovial fluid and damages the articular cartilage. Traumatic arthritis occurs as the result of a serious injury or fracture.
Do You Need a New Hip?
Most of the people who have a total hip replacement are between the ages of 60 and 80. However, that doesn't mean someone in their 50s or 40s couldn't benefit from the surgery. Doctors evaluate patients individually based on the amount of pain they have, their disability and their general health. So how can you tell if you're a good candidate for hip replacement surgery? According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, some of the things to consider are if hip pain gets in the way of some everyday activities like walking or bending; the pain continues while resting, either day or night; stiffness in the hip limits your ability to move or lift your leg; taking anti-inflammatory drugs or glucosamine doesn't relieve the pain; and physical therapy or using a cane doesn't help, either.
Hip Replacement Surgery
Hip replacement surgery generally takes a few hours. Essentially, what happens is that the surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone and replaces the hip with a new one made of metal, plastic or ceramic. During the surgery, the doctor makes an incision, usually over the buttocks. The head of the thigh bone is removed and the hip socket is cleaned out. The new socket is set in, a metal stem is inserted into the thigh bone, and the new parts are fixed into place using special cement.
What to Expect from a New Hip
Hip replacement surgery is generally very successful. It restores function and allows patients to go about their daily activities without pain or stiffness. Overall, hip replacements last about 20 years.
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