When oral medication and physiotherapy are no longer effective in treating your back pain, doctors usually recommend total hip replacement surgery. What specifics does the procedure entail?

What Is Total Hip Replacement?

Total hip replacement (THR) or total hip arthroplasty is a surgical intervention that substitutes a deteriorated hip joint with an artificial joint, known as a prosthesis. 

The hip joint serves as the juncture where your thigh bone and pelvis bone meet, facilitating the fluid movement of your leg. 

Consequently, impairment in the hip joint can impede your everyday tasks, necessitating immediate attention.

According to research compiled by the Cleveland Clinic, 90% of patients who require hip replacement surgery are aged 50 and above.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

In most cases, chronic hip pain stems from arthritis, a condition that frequently necessitates total hip replacement due to significant damage to the hip joint. Here are several types of arthritis commonly affect individuals:

1. Osteoarthritis

This condition typically occurs in individuals aged 50 and above or those with a family history of arthritis. 

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage, which acts as a cushion between bone surfaces, wears away, leading to direct bone-to-bone contact. When this happens, you may experience intense pain and stiffness. 

Apart from worn-out cartilage, osteoarthritis can also result from imperfect hip development during childhood.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis usually arises from an autoimmune disease. This condition causes chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane (the joint capsule layer that produces lubricating fluid for cartilage). 

At the end of the day, chronic inflammation gradually damages the cartilage. Resulting in pain and stiffness in the hips.

3. Psoriatic Arthritis

This type of joint inflammation is often experienced by individuals with psoriasis, an autoimmune condition characterized by chronic skin inflammation, leading to thickened, scaly, itchy, and easily peeled skin. 

Psoriatic arthritis doesn't just impact the hip joints. It can also affect fingers, bones, spine, knees, and various other joints throughout the body.

Apart from arthritis, damage to the hip joint can result from other factors such as:

• Osteonecrosis is an injury that results in limited blood supply to the femoral head (thigh bone), causing the femur's surface to collapse and joint inflammation.
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or abnormalities in the shape of the hip bone.
• Hip dysplasia, a condition where the end of the femur bone protrudes or shifts from its normal position. This usually occurs in infants and young children.
• Benign tumors.
• Cancer.
• Perthes disease, a rare condition that typically affects children. This disease causes the femoral head to die due to a lack of blood supply.

Who Needs Hip Replacement Surgery?

In general, total hip replacement is recommended by orthopedic surgeons when hip joint damage causes:

• Persistent pain that interferes with everyday tasks like putting on shoes, bending to pick up objects, and rising from a seated position.
• Hip stiffness that impedes movement and lifting legs.
• Continual hip discomfort even during periods of rest, whether during the day or at night.
• Pain that persists despite the use of anti-inflammatory medication, participation in physiotherapy sessions, or reliance on walking aids.

Total Hip Replacement Procedure

Hip replacement surgery typically lasts for 2 hours, and during this procedure, you will receive regional anesthesia. 

This means a large portion of your body will be numb under anesthesia, and yet you will be conscious while the surgery is underway. However, you will not feel any pain.

In essence, the joint replacement process with prosthetic components unfolds as follows:

1. The procedure starts with an incision to reach your hip joint.
2. Following that, the damaged femoral head, which resembles a ball, is cut and removed.
3. Afterward, the damaged femoral head will be replaced with a prosthetic head made of metal.
4. This metallic head is then inserted into the central cavity of the femur bone, known as the acetabulum socket.
5. Before attaching the metal head, the socket will be thoroughly cleaned. This ensures that no remnants of cartilage or inflamed bone are left attached. 
6. Before attaching the metal head, the socket will be thoroughly cleaned. This ensures that no remnants of cartilage or inflamed bone are left attached. 
7. Subsequently, a coating known as a liner or spacer will be applied to the surface of the socket. This coating aids in ensuring smooth movement of your hip joint.
8. The liner is typically made of plastic, although some orthopedic surgeons use ceramic or metal layers. 
9. Once the metal head is fitted into the socket, the metal stem will be cemented or pressed fit into your femur bone. 
10. After the prosthetic components are securely connected, the surgical team will close the skin around the thigh with stitches.

After Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Following the completion of the surgery, healthcare personnel will transfer you to the recovery room. 

To aid in the healing process and prevent blood clots in the leg area and other potential side effects, your doctor may recommend starting physiotherapy as soon as possible. 

Typically, physiotherapy will commence shortly after the surgery or the next day, depending on your body's condition. 

In most cases, you'll only need to spend one night in the hospital and will be discharged the following day.

However, the total recovery process after hip replacement surgery usually takes around 12 weeks. 

Throughout these 12 weeks, it's essential to attend regular consultations with your doctor and engage in therapy sessions. At the end of this period, you can typically regain unrestricted movement.

Risks of Total Hip Replacement

There are several risks of complications that may be experienced after hip replacement surgery, including:

• Infection.
• Blood clots in the leg (venous thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism).
• Issues with the implanted prosthesis, such as loosening or dislocation from its position.
• Fractures around the prosthesis.
• Stiffness in the joint.

However, there's no need for excessive worry. The success rate of this surgery is high, so these side effects are very rare.

Side effects can be minimized by choosing the right medical facility, as it affects the diagnostic process, the treatments provided, and the healing process. 

Bali International Hospital stands out as a premier choice for total hip replacement, given our Orthopedics Centre's status as one of our Centers of Excellence (CoE).

Our professional orthopedic surgeons team is backed by cutting-edge medical staff, ensuring thorough examinations and precise medical interventions. This leads to expedited healing.

Situated in Indonesia's first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Health, Bali International Hospital provides a tranquil environment, state-of-the-art facilities, and top-notch service, enhancing your medical journey's comfort.

Don't hesitate to schedule your consultation. Reach out to Bali International Hospital today and take the first step towards a smoother, more comfortable journey to recovery!

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