Hip Surgery Options
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or hip fractures are the most common reasons for hip replacement surgery. Symptoms felt by people who may consider a hip replacement include severe pain, being unable to perform daily activities and stiffness in the hip. According to the Mayo Clinic, 193,000 total hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year, with a 90 percent success rate (see reference 1).
Traditional Hip Replacement
Traditional hip replacement surgery usually involves replacing the damaged hip joint with an artificial one. The surgery is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a large incision over the hip bone and separates the muscles from the joint. The new hip is inserted, the muscles are reattached and the incision is closed. A hospital stay of several days is required. Most patients will begin standing and walking the day after surgery with the aid of a walker and a physical therapist.
Hip Arthroscopy
This surgery is performed when there are loose pieces of cartilage to be removed from the hip, and to correct a condition called femoral-acetabular impingement, which is too much friction in the hip joint. This is done by reshaping the ball and socket portion of the hip. Hip arthroscopy can also repair soft tissue damage in the socket of the hip. Surgery is often performed on an outpatient basis and is minimally invasive.
Osteotomy
Osteotomy surgery is able to restore normal alignment to the hip joint, and reduces the risk of total hip replacement surgery. It is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon uses fluoroscopy, a live X-ray machine, to see which bones need to be cut to realign the leg. Pins and screws are put into the bones to hold them in place. requires several days in the hospital and months of healing time. Osteotomy is typically performed on young, active patients. It is important to keep all follow-up appointments and follow the surgeon's directions.
Hip Arthrodesis
This surgery is performed on patients who are suffering from severe arthritis, or have had a traumatic injury or an infection. It is done on people who will want or need to engage in manual labor or high-impact activities after surgery. An artificial hip joint might not hold up well and the patient could face another hip replacement surgery. A hip arthrodesis is the fusion of the bones in the femur and pelvis. It is held together by metal plates and screws. The drawback is the loss of movement in the fused hip joint that will cause the person to walk with a limp.
Hip Resurfacing
Hip resurfacing is a relatively new development. This procedure is not for everyone, and the surgeon will determine if this is an option based on a person's condition. This surgery is done by resurfacing the top of the femoral bone with a metal cap. It generally requires less bone removal than a hip replacement.
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