About Hip Surgery
Hip surgery is a medical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a synthetic implant. It is one of the most common joint replacement surgeries and the cheapest as well. Hip replacement surgery is considered to be safe and the most successful type of joint replacement procedures. Hip surgery is performed primarily to treat joint failure caused by various forms of arthritis. Hip replacement is also done in cases of hip fractures or tumors. The aim of this procedure is to provide pain relief and improve the hip function of the patient.
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History
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The first attempt at hip replacement surgery was made in Germany where ivory implants were used. Widespread use of artificial joints made from steel, chrome and Teflon began from the 1930s. By the 1970s the design of the implant was revolutionized due to the work of John Charnley at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. The Charnley Low Friction Arthroplasty design was used for over two decades. However, in recent times, there have been many improvements in the design of the implants.
Hip Replacement Surgery
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Hip replacement surgery is performed when the painful symptoms cannot be taken care of by other non-operative therapies. Hip replacement surgery removes the damaged joint lining and replaces the surface of the joint with an artificial implant. The implants may wear out over time. As a result, hip replacement is usually avoided in younger patients for the fear of the implant wearing out too quickly. Today, there are constant modifications in the designs of implants so as to make them longer lasting and provide the best possible functioning to the patient. About 90 percent of the people who take the treatment have good results and can successfully go back to their normal activities.
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Hip Resurfacing Surgery
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The hip resurfacing surgery is an alternative to total hip replacement and is used in patients with severe hip arthritis. The procedure for hip resurfacing is different in that the end of the femur is not amputated, but the outer surface is replaced with a metal cap. The advantage of a hip resurfacing procedure is that there is less bone removal, compared with hip replacement. There is also a lower risk of dislocation as the implant replicates the normal anatomy of the hip joint. Since the surgery removes less bone mass, a repeat resurfacing surgery is much easier.
Considerations
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The age of the patient is often the deciding factor for considering hip surgery. People more than 60 years old benefit from total hip replacement while younger patients are ideal candidates for hip resurfacing procedures. Women are said to have higher rates of complication than men and are prone to the risk of fractures in the hip area after surgery. Obese patients also show a high risk of complications with surgery. Those with hip problems due to inflammatory arthritis should consider total hip replacement surgery in consultation with their doctors.
New Procedures
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The latest developments in the area of hip surgery include several minimally invasive surgical procedures. The surgery is performed through two small incisions with the help of computer guidance. It is hoped that with minimal tissue and muscle damage, the patient will have a faster recovery, resulting in lesser hospitalization and better results. However, since it is a new development, there are questions whether it is, in fact, a better procedure.
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