Total Hip Arthroplasty: Indications, Types of Prostheses and Risks

Posted by Dr Ashu Consul on February 17th, 2021

Known as '' total hip arthroplasty '', this replacement surgery is an option for the patient whose hip pain interferes with your daily activities and the simplest treatments do not improve. Arthritis, and the damage it causes, is the most common reason why patients seek a hip replacement in Delhi.

Generally this surgery is performed for different disorders that damage the joints located in the hip, so a replacement is sought, says the orthopaedic in Delhi.

•         Osteoarthritis that is generated by wear and tear and damages the slippery cartilage that covers the ends of the bones and that also helps the joints have smooth mobility.
•         Rheumatoid arthritis occurs as a consequence of an overactive immune system. This produces an inflammation that usually erodes the cartilage and sometimes the bone that is underneath, which causes damage to the joints.
•         In Osteonecrosis, if there is any irregularity in the blood supply to the spherical part of the hip joint, the bone may lose its shape and collapse.

This option for hip replacement in Delhi may be considered if you have pain with these aspects.

If it worsens when walking, even if you have a cane, if it interferes with your sleep, with your ability to go up and down stairs, and if it is difficult to get up when you are sitting.

The two main indications for a total hip replacement are pain and functional disability suffered by the patient. After the hip replacement in Delhi, not only does the pain disappear, but the patient can regain normal mobility of the affected hip and return to performing their daily activities in a satisfactory way.

Currently, both young patients and elderly patients who have osteoarthritis or some other degenerative disease of the hip (necrosis or fracture of the femoral head, hip dysplasia...) benefit from this hip replacement surgery in west Delhi, recovering both quality of life, such as the hope of being able to perform demanding physical activities (swimming, cycling, ...), explains the orthopaedic in Delhi.

What is hip replacement surgery and what types of prostheses are there?

The hip replacement surgery in Delhi consists of the replacement of the affected joint by a mechanical implant, the prosthesis.

There are many types of prostheses, but in a generic way we can say that a total hip prosthesis consists of three basic elements; an implant for the femur part (stem), an implant for the pelvic or acetabulum part (cup), and an implant between the stem and cup (head).

Both the stem and the cup are fixed to the bone, and this fixation will be responsible for a hip replacement lasting more or less time. Depending on the fixation of the stem or cup to the bone, prostheses are classified as cemented or non-cemented.

Another important part of the prosthesis is the friction torque (components that are in contact during movement), which is classified according to the material: metal-polyethylene, ceramic-polyethylene, ceramic-ceramic, oxynium-polyethylene, metal-metal. Currently, the most widely used total hip prosthesis, according to the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi, is the uncemented one with a metal-polyethylene friction pair.

The choice of the type of prosthesis and friction torque will depend on different factors such as age, medical history of the patient…. But, in any case, the experience of the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi is essential to choose the most suitable for each patient in this type of intervention.

The risks that are associated with this hip replacement surgery in Delhi can have:

Some blood clots after it, some clots can form in the veins of the legs, which can be dangerous, since some portion of the clot is able to break off and move to the lungs, the heart and even the brain. Most likely, your orthopaedic doctor in Delhiwill prescribe blood-thinning medications to eliminate this risk.

Infections can appear at the incision site and in the deeper tissues in our hips. They are mostly treated with antibiotics, but some serious ones may be near the prosthesis, you may need another surgery.

Some fracture is probable, although little. In the healthy parts of the hip joint.

The adequate preparation for this surgery is a consultation with the orthopaedic in Delhi so that they can give you all the necessary recommendations for it.

This hip replacement surgery in Delhi will bring a total improvement, the pain felt before the surgery disappears completely, the range of motion of the joints will be improved. Generally, you could not do the same amount of things that you did before your hip replacement. For example, physical activities like playing basketball or running can be very stressful for an artificial joint.