Types of Hip Joint Surgery and Treatment
In the entire skeletal system, hip joints hold a special place. They allow us to mobilise our bodies effortlessly and help us maintain an active lifestyle.
This article deals with various forms of hip-related surgical interventions. Also, learn how to find the best surgeon within your locality.
Hip Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive keyhole procedure in which the surgeon doesn’t expose the hip joint wide open as the case with traditional surgeries. Rather, the entire surgical procedure is completed with the help of an arthroscope and other similar instruments.
An arthroscope is a tool that has a pencil-thin body and it is inserted inside the joint with the help of small holes.
Hip arthroscopy is done to diagnose and treat various hip conditions. Some of these conditions are as follows.
- Hip Impingement
- Hip Dysplasia
- Sciatica
- Hip Labral Tears
- Hip Joint Infection
- Synovitis
- Tendon Injuries
Total Hip Arthroplasty
Total hip arthroplasty is also known as total hip replacement surgery. In this procedure, the damaged or injured parts of the hip are resurfaced with artificial parts.
Hip joints can get damaged due to overuse, internal conditions, congenital defects and external traumas. Patients with chronic and intense hip pain with severe mobility issues require total hip replacement surgery.
The top of the thigh bone (the femoral head) is in the shape of a ball. The hip bone (the pelvis) contains a socket (the acetabulum) on either side. The hip joint forms when this ball joins the socket.
When both these components (ball and socket) get damaged and thus resurfaced with the help of artificial parts, the procedure is known as total hip replacement surgery. However, this is not the case with partial hip replacement surgery, which is discussed below.
If you want to meet with the best surgeon, refer to the following link: best doctor for hip replacement surgery.
Partial Hip Arthroplasty
Partial hip arthroplasty, also known as hip hemiarthroplasty or partial hip replacement surgery involves replacing only the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) with an implant.
This procedure is typically performed when the hip ball is damaged but the socket is intact.
Any of the following conditions such as avascular necrosis, fractures and osteoarthritis can require one to undergo partial hip replacement surgery.
Hip Resurfacing Surgery
In hip resurfacing surgery, the femoral head is capped with a metal prosthesis. This doesn’t involve the replacement of the femoral head completely. This technique preserves more of the patient's natural bone compared to replacements.
The resurfacing is often recommended for young and active patients with hip arthritis or otherwise. The procedure aims to relieve pain and improve joint function while potentially delaying the need for a total hip replacement in the future.
However, hip resurfacing may not be suitable for everyone, depending on factors such as bone quality, anatomy, age, etc.
Hip Revision Surgery
Hip revision surgery is a procedure performed for the correction of a previously implanted hip prosthesis (artificial joint) that has failed somehow.
This may happen due to infection, negligence shown by the patient, falls or fractures in the nearby bone, among other things.
Revision hip replacement surgery either involves removing previous implants or only repair of the same. It is a complex procedure often requiring surgical precision with careful planning.
Labral Debridement
Labral debridement is done to address damage or degeneration of the labrum in the hip joint. The labrum is a soft-tissue ring. It lines the outer rim of the hip socket or the acetabulum.
During labral debridement, the surgeon gets rid of damaged tissue from the labrum. It helps with hip pain and other inflammatory issues.
Labral debridement also prevents further labral injuries.
Types of Anaesthesia and Ones Used During Hip Surgeries
There are mainly three broad categories of anaesthesia.
General Anaesthesia: This makes a patient enter into a physical state of complete loss of consciousness. The patient remains totally unconscious during the course of surgery.
Under general anaesthesia, anaesthetic drugs, if liquid, are injected into the vein or, if gaseous, given through breath.
Regional Anaesthesia: This form of anaesthesia leads to loss of consciousness or sensation only related to a specific area or region of the body.
There are further divisions under the regional anaesthesia or RA: Spinal, Epidural and Regional.
Spinal Anaesthesia or SA is given by injecting the anaesthetic into the lower part of the spine. The anaesthetic injection is administered into the fluid around the nerves in the lower spine.
SA is used in such operations that are related to body parts below the waist, including the pelvic region.
This anaesthetic procedure makes a patient attain numbness and loss of physical sensations from the waist down for at least 1-2 hours.
Next, there is Epidural Anaesthesia or EA. This is another form of regional anaesthesia. Epidural Anaesthesia is helpful, again like SA, when the lower half of the body is to be operated on.
The EA is administered using an epidural catheter—a narrow, fine and flexible plastic tube. The epidural catheter is inserted and left inside the lower spine, specifically in an internal local space in the lower spine known as the epidural space.
Under RA, Spinal Anaesthesia and Epidural Anaesthesia both have the same effect on the body: numbing parts below the waist.
SA is used for operations lasting for short periods while Epidural Anaesthesia or EA is used for an operation lasting for hours. Under EA, an anaesthetic is continuously administered without interruptions via the epidural catheter.
Finally, the last form of regional anaesthesia is Regional Nerve Block. This is used when other body parts than the ones below the waist are to be treated, for instance, your shoulder or wrist.
To numb the arm, an anaesthetist can administer an injection of anaesthetic to the neck or armpit under RNB or Regional Nerve Block.
Local Anaesthesia: This is administered when only a small area of the body is to be operated. Under local anaesthesia, an anaesthetic is directly injected into the site that requires surgery.
Which Form of Anaesthesia Is Used in Hip Surgeries?
Your orthopedic surgeon will decide which form of anaesthesia they need to give before surgery.
Yet, typically surgeons use either general anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia.
Conclusion
These are types of hip surgeries. One might require any of these surgical interventions in case of hip injuries, deformities or natural degeneration like hip osteoarthritis. If you have been suggested for any particular hip surgery, ensure you don’t delay the operation.
Delays in medical treatments can cause complications and impact surgical outcomes postoperatively. If you want to know about the cost, visit the following link: hip replacement surgery cost in India.