What is hip replacement surgery?
Total hip replacement surgery is a successful operation to cure degenerative disorders of the human hip joints such as osteoarthritis or traumatic events that have worn the joint out earlier than expected. It requires an operation and an inpatient stay in hospital. Essentially the human ball and socket joint is replaced for artificial ones that gets rid of the pain and gets the patient ambulating and having a better quality of life in the long run.
What are hip replacements made of?
Hip replacements are made of a variety of materials. They include ceramics for the femoral head. The femoral head can also be made out of metal, usually cobalt and chrome. The stem is made out of cobalt and chrome or, if it's an uncemented stem, it's usually made out of titanium. The socket is usually uncemented and is made out of titanium. The implants that are pressed fit into the bone are coated in a material called hydroxyapatite, that your own bone recognizes and grows into the stem. The liner is usually made out of a plastic material or polyethylene.
Can I have a hip replacement if I've already had a knee replacement on the same side?
Hip and knee replacements can be done on the same side. There's not a problem at all with that. The usual path is to have the hip replaced first and then followed by the knee. But in some instances, the knee wears out before the hip. Either way you can have a hip and knee replacement on the same leg.
Is a hip replacement major surgery?
Total hip replacement surgery is considered major surgery. However, it shouldn't be looked upon with fear. It's an operation that brings benefit to a patient's life. And it can be considered like having a tyre change. Essentially, your ball and socket joint is worn out and the operation is designed to replace that with a brand new ball and socket, which reduces pain and brings back your quality of life.
How long does a hip replacement last?
The longevity of a total hip replacement is determined by several factors. But on average with modern orthopaedic kit, I expect a total hip replacement to last at least 20 years, everything being equal.