Hip Replacement

Standard hip replacement entails removing the head and neck of the thigh bone, planting a metal stem in the bone marrow, and attaching a metal ball called a femoral head. A metal shell is placed in the pelvis, lined with a special plastic that will allow the ball to rotate smoothly.

Patients are generally up and about a day or two after surgery. Physical therapy will begin almost immediately, and most patients head home after only two or three days in the hospital. Most can discard their canes and return to an active life three to six weeks after surgery.

As with any surgery, hip replacement carries a risk of post-operative infection and blood clots, but these complications are minimal through prophylactic measures. Doctors prescribe blood-thinning drugs to prevent clots and antibiotics to reduce the chance of infection. In the past, dislocation of the new hip was also a concern, but newer artificial joints are more stable and unlikely to move out of place. Overall, experts say fewer than 10 percent of hip replacement patients will experience post-operative problems.

Many people take motion for granted: standing and sitting, walking, running or climbing stairs. But for millions of Americans who suffer from joint pain, moving is a painful fact of life. Medications, physical therapy, special braces, canes and assistive devices can help, but the problem typically gets worse over time.

Patients who can’t move without pain often become less active, putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease and other medical problems. What’s more, they miss out on many joys of everyday living.

Fortunately, doctors at the MetroSouth Medical Center have a growing arsenal of procedures, techniques, equipment and implants, and can customize a joint replacement program specific to each patient’s needs.
 

To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, specializing in hip replacement, at MetroSouth Medical Center, call 708-489-7925.