Hip replacement surgery is performed as a result of diseases or traumas which cause deterioration of the hip joint. It is most commonly performed in cases of degeneration of the hip joint (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory rheumatism of the hip joint. Hip replacement surgery may also be required for fractures affecting the hip joint.
Hip replacement surgery is performed to reduce pain and normalize joint movement in the hip joint which was damaged by fractures or diseases. It is aimed that the person can continue their daily life painlessly after the operation.
Non-Surgical Treatment of Hip Pain
In cases of hip pain, mobility difficulties and disturbances in walking, surgery is not the first treatment option! First of all:
- Losing weight,
- Physical therapy applications,
- Exercise accompanied by a physiotherapist,
- Usage of a walking stick-like assistive device and
- Intra-articular injections (hyaluronic acid, prp, stem cell) may be recommended.
If the complaints continue despite these treatments, the damage to the hip joint is extensive and the bones are deformed, hip replacement surgery may be performed.
In which cases is Hip Replacement necessary?
- Degeneration of the hip joint (Destruction)
- Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis…)
- Hip dislocation (congenital or traumatic)
- Sequelae of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Osteonecrosis and
- In cases such as joint destruction associated with hemophilia, hip replacement surgery is performed.
Age is not a factor in hip replacement surgery alone. Hip replacement surgery is most commonly performed between the ages of 50-80. However, hip replacement can also be performed in younger or older people.
What Should be Considered After Hip Replacement Surgery?
There are some things you should consider for the health of the prosthesis after hip replacement surgery. We shared the general points to be considered in this article. However, restrictions vary depending on the age and condition of the patient, the prosthesis used and the surgical method. Therefore, you should follow the specific recommendations of your surgeon.
While longer and more severe restrictions are required in case of some patients, fewer restrictions may be applied for others. In hip replacement surgery, there may be different restrictions in the anterior and posterior surgical approaches.
Things to Consider After Posterior Surgery
- Legs should not be crossed.
- To prevent the legs from getting too close together, a pillow can be placed between the knees while lying down.
- The hip joint should not be bent more than 90 degrees. This means that it is dangerous to bend forward to put on shoes or socks or to sit on low seats.
- The hip joint should not be rotated inwards excessively.
- It may be necessary to avoid lying sideways on that side to avoid loading the prosthesis.
Things to Consider After Anterior Surgery
- Excessive backward movement of the hip should be avoided.
- hip joint should not rotate excessively outwards.
- Lying face down may be inconvenient.
- Bridge exercises are not recommended in the beginning.
Generally, these recommendations are for the first 6 weeks. However, in some cases it may be necessary to pay attention for a shorter or longer period. You should not hesitate to consult your surgeon about precautions and the measures that should be taken.
Physical Therapy After Hip Replacement Surgery
After hip replacement surgery, physical therapy starts in the early period for the person to stand up and return to their daily life quickly. In-bed exercises are started on the first day after operation in the presence of a physiotherapist. Generally, it is aimed for the patient to sit on the edge of the bed, stand up and walk with an assistive device such as a walker during the first days. The patient is taught about the behaviors which may cause the prosthesis to dislodge and how to avoid them. In most cases, the patient is trained to climb and descend stairs before discharge.
Starting physical therapy and rehabilitation early prevents the development of additional complications such as muscle atrophy, joint stiffness and vascular occlusion. It helps the patient to stand up and gain independence in the early period.
After the patient is discharged from the orthopedic service, an inpatient or outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation program may be recommended according to the patient’s condition.
