Is Hip Replacement Surgery Safe for An Old Person?
Yes, hip replacement surgery is completely safe for old people. In fact, senior citizens require this surgery the most even though young adults might also need it. This is a successful and safe procedure to help old people live life without chronic, severe and debilitating hip joint inflammation.
Let’s learn about hip replacement surgery and everything related in this article.
The Hip Anatomy
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball part is called the femoral head while the socket is the acetabulum. The femoral head connects with the acetabulum and creates the hip joint.
Furthermore, in the hip, there are soft tissues as well, for example:
- Cartilage - a layer of soft tissue over the femoral head
- The labrum - a rim of soft tissue over the socket or the acetabulum
- Tendons - band-like structures that connect muscles to bones
- Ligaments - again band-like structures that connect bones to bones
- Muscles - es
- Synovium - a thin membrane that produces joint lubricant
- Bursa - a fluid-filled bag that cushions the surrounding hip parts
When any of these or all hip parts become damaged and the body cannot fix the damage itself, it results in chronic hip pain and mobility issues.
Hip Replacement Surgery
It is a surgical procedure in which damaged sections of the hip are removed and then resurfaced with artificial parts.
Such artificial parts used in hip replacement surgery are made of metal and plastic. An implant is completely safe and does not have any side effects. After surgery, the implant works exactly the same as the original hip joint.
Usually, the hip replacement implant has four components, namely, the acetabular cup, the plastic liner, the femoral head and the femoral stem.
For a healthy senior citizen with no health issues, this is a safe surgical procedure. However, if you have a comorbidity (or are suffering from more than one health issue at the same time), surgery might cause complications. But, if it is so, the surgeon will let you know in advance and help you make the right decision.
For example, if you are diabetic and your sugar levels are so high, your surgeon will not advice surgery. They will delay the surgery and first focus on controlling increased sugar levels.
To book your appointment with a hip joint specialist, go to the following link: top orthopedic doctor in India.
Types of Hip Replacements
There are two types of hip replacement surgeries.
- Total Hip Replacement
- Partial Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement surgery is only performed when the hip socket and ball, both, have become completely damaged. So, a surgeon removes both parts and then resurfaces them with artificial parts.
Total hip replacement surgery is of two types, namely unilateral and bilateral. When a surgeon only replaces one hip joint, it is called unilateral hip replacement surgery. And, when both hip joints are to be replaced, it is called bilateral hip replacement surgery.
Also Read: Can Overweight People Have Hip Replacement Surgery?
Under the bilateral procedure, both hips can be replaced either in one surgery or in two surgeries one after another. However, which one is suitable for you will be decided by your surgeon.
Under partial hip replacement surgery, only the ball of the hip joint (femoral head) is removed and then resurfaced with an implant.
Why Old People Need Hip Replacement Surgery
When chronic and debilitating hip pain cannot be treated with physiotherapy, medications and other non-surgical alternatives, the surgery becomes the last option.
The following are the major causes of chronic hip pain in senior citizens.
Osteoarthritis: It is an age-related condition. It happens due to wear and tear of cartilage, which is a layer of soft tissue found over bone ends in the joint. Cartilage allows for smooth movements.
Damaged cartilage causes bones to rub against each other. It gives rise to chronic hip pain. It restricts motion and impacts day-to-day activities.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues of the body, causing joint inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis often causes inflammation in more than one joint.
RA doesn’t damage joints like osteoarthritis by damaging the cartilage. Instead, it inflames the joint lining, also called synovium, which gradually causes damage to the entire joint. Thus, RA can also cause hip damage leading to lasting pain, discomfort and immobility.
Also Read: What Is Hip Osteoarthritis and It's Treatment?
Post-Traumatic Arthritis (or PTA): An injury to the hip can cause PTA or post-traumatic arthritis. PTA is a condition of hip joint stiffness, pain and immobility problems. It usually develops when after an injury proper medical attention isn’t provided.
Most people usually develop the symptoms of PTA long after the injury.
For example, an injury can lead to cartilage damage or labral tears in the hip. If such damage isn’t treated on time, it will grow and become worse.
Osteonecrosis: Death of bone tissue due to lack of enough blood supply is called osteonecrosis. So, if there isn’t enough blood supply to the hip joint, bone tissues there will die, leading to chronic hip pain.
Diagnosis
At the time of consultation, your surgeon might order some tests for diagnosis. These tests include:
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT Scan
An X-ray helps examine bone and joint conditions. This test helps surgeons know the severity of osteoarthritis. However, X-rays cannot find out if there is something wrong with soft tissues.
Also Read: Success Rate of Hip Replacement Surgery
Thus, to examine the condition of soft tissue in the joint, i.e., the hip, a doctor can order an MRI; if an MRI test isn’t suitable for one, a CT scan is preferred.
MRI isn’t a suitable diagnostic option for a person who has a metal implant within their body.
Benefits of Hip Replacement Surgery for Old People
There are multiple benefits of this surgery for senior citizens. The following are the major ones.
- Permanent Relief from Pain
- Better Hip Joint Function
- Regain of Mobility
- Independence
- Better Social Life
- Better Physical Health
- Improved Mental Health
- Enhanced Quality of Life
What to Expect
On the day of surgery, you will be admitted to the hospital where your surgery is planned to take place. Afterwards, you will be made to wear a surgery gown.
Once you are in the surgery room, the surgeon will administer anaesthesia. Typically, under hip replacement surgery, general anaesthesia is given. In other words, you will be completely unconscious throughout the surgery.
Yet, if your surgeon considers it best, they may also prefer regional anaesthesia over general anaesthesia. Under regional anaesthesia, only the bottom half of your body will be numb and unconscious and not the entire body.
Also Read: Can Hip Joint Pain Cause Sciatica?
During the surgery, damaged parts are removed and then resurfaced using artificial components.
After the surgery, you are taken to the recovery room. Once you have woken up from the anaesthesia, you will be made to walk on your feet with the help of a walker or crutches. Walking as soon as possible after surgery is crucial because it helps prevent blood clots.
However, some patients might find it difficult to walk after the surgery. For such patients, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices are used; it helps prevent blood clots.
Painkillers are given to provide relief from pain. To help strengthen muscles and regain mobility, physiotherapy is ensured.
After 14 days, your stitches will be removed. People usually recover fully within 2 to 3 months after the surgery.
Conclusion
Hip replacement surgery is a highly successful treatment for senior citizens. In fact, the surgery is primarily meant for old people. Aged people often face long-lasting hip stiffness and pain. It impacts their day-to-day life severely.
Thus, this surgery helps them get back to a pain-free life once again and enjoy every moment to the fullest.
So, if you are an old person and suffering from too much hip pain, consider planning hip replacement surgery. To consult a surgeon, book an appointment by visiting the following link: best hip replacement doctor in India.