It used to be that decreased mobility and joint pain were taken as an unavoidable part of the aging process. However, with people living longer and leading more active lives, hip joint replacement with artificial hip joints is becoming a well-known medical option that can help patients regain their quality of life. Artificial hip replacement involves taking out diseased hip tissue and replacing it with a new joint that will allow patients to regain their former mobility.
Identification
The hip joint is one of the most important parts of the human anatomy. A well-functioning hip joint allows us to walk, run, sit and perform a host of other activities. The hip joint is made up of two parts: the "socket," which is part of the pelvic bone, and the "ball," which makes up the top of the femur (also known as the "thighbone") and sits inside the socket. Sometimes the original hip joint becomes unable to function. In this case, surgeons may replace the natural hip joint with a prosthetic, artificial ball-and-socket hip joint.
Replacement
Why replace the hip joint? There are several reasons. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can wear down the original hip joint to the point where movement is extremely difficult and painful, and a bone tumor can necessitate hip joint removal, as can a broken hip. Osteonecrosis--when a lack of blood supply kills off bone cells--can destroy the bone tissue in the ball of the hip joint.
Types
The artificial hip joint is made up of a cup, which replaces diseased bone in the pelvis, and a new ball for the top of the femur bone. There are several different types of artificial hip joints. Different materials can be used for the prosthesis--all-metal and all-ceramic artificial joints are available, as well as a type that uses a plastic cup to place in the pelvis and a metal ball for the top of the femur. In addition, the surgeon may cement the joint in place or forgo cement. Usually joints are cemented in place for older patients--younger patients can wait for bone to grow around the new artificial hip joint, holding it in place.
Surgery
If you have an artificial hip joint put in, you will be put under general anesthetic before surgery. The surgeon will then remove any diseased bone and put the components of the artificial hip joint in place. New techniques have been developed to make artificial hip replacement less invasive, with surgeons using smaller incisions. Early research suggests that minimally invasive hip replacement can help shorten the recovery period, but long-term results are still unclear.
After Surgery
After undergoing surgery for an artificial hip replacement, you'll have to work hard to get back into shape. Physical therapy can begin a few hours after surgery. Most people can leave the hospital 3 to 5 days after surgery, but physical therapy is still a necessity, and you'll have to use a walking aid such as a walker or crutches until you build up your strength. Possible post-surgery complications include blood clots, joint loosening and infection, but artificial hip replacement is successful in more than 90 percent of cases.
Tags: artificial joint, artificial joints, artificial replacement, after surgery, ball femur, diseased bone, joint made