Hip replacement surgery
Total hip replacement surgery, which was first applied in 1960, is one of the most important medical achievements of our age. Prosthesis technology, which is developing in line with the advances in technology today, has increased the success rate of total hip replacement surgery. Total hip replacement surgery is one of the most performed operations in the world.
1. In which diseases is total hip replacement required?
Many diseases of the hip joint require treatment with total hip replacement surgery. Hip joint disorders that occur as a result of these diseases cause pain and limitation of movement and negatively affect daily life by causing significant difficulties in walking, climbing stairs, sitting and standing and sometimes maintaining personal hygiene. It prevents people from going to work or even sleeping in their later stages. The most common of these diseases;
Degenerative osteoarthrosis of the hip joint, popularly known as calcification,
Hip joint damage caused by rheumatic diseases,
Hip joint problems caused by cortisone derivative drugs,
• Disease called avascular necrosis of the femoral head,
Hip joint injuries caused by fractures and dislocations of the hip joint
2. What causes problems such as calcification? Is it not possible to treat these diseases with any method other than prosthesis?
One of the most important causes of hip joint problems is obesity. Every joint of every person wears out naturally with age. Obesity affects this natural wear process extremely negatively, causing the joint cartilage, which is already eroding, to wear much faster.
3. Which factors are taken into consideration when deciding on hip replacement surgery? How are the age, job and social life of the patient effective in making this decision?
The most important factor when deciding on hip replacement is the patient's pain and how it affects his daily life. Prosthesis surgery is performed if the patient has enough pain to negatively affect or prevent his daily life and if it is not possible to treat it with other methods. The patient's weight is also important in the surgical decision. Since postoperative rehabilitation is easier in patients with normal weight, obese patients are preferred to lose weight before surgery. Prosthesis surgery is highly recommended, especially for people with active work or social life, if there is no other solution left. Quality and comfort is as important as the length of life. Today, the inability of people to participate in active life, especially in big cities, is a source of depression and unhappiness. The slogan of orthopedists on this subject is "Movement is life." For this reason, a good hip replacement surgery will also be the solution of mental problems caused by pain and limitation of movement.
4. How long is the life of the prosthesis? What are the factors affecting the life of the prosthesis? What materials are used prostheses? Which factors are taken into account when choosing a prosthesis?
Serious developments have been made in prostheses in terms of both design and material. There are prosthesis options suitable for each patient, age, body type and required surgery. In the past, there were prostheses made of only steel and polyethylene, but now very durable prostheses made of titanium alloys and very special ceramics are used. These developments have also increased the life span of prostheses. It can be said that the life span of a well-performed prosthesis surgery is over 25 years. It is also possible to replace the worn prosthesis. Among the factors affecting the life of the prosthesis, the surgery, the patient's weight, bone quality and the choice of the prosthesis are important. In the choice of prosthesis, the age of the patient, body type and the disorders caused by the disease in the hip anatomy are taken into consideration.
5. How is hip replacement surgery performed? How long does the surgery take?
This is a large and special surgery. It should be done in special operating rooms where the sterilization system is very important, even the ventilation system is special, where an experienced team works. During the operation, the patient is either put to sleep under general anesthesia or the method of numbing the lower back called epidural anesthesia is applied. The duration of the operation is approximately 1 hour. During the operation, the diseased tissues in the hip are removed and a prosthesis is placed in its place.
6. What is the hospitalization period of the patient after the operation? How long will the patient walk after the operation? When will he return to his normal life?
Generally, approximately 3-4 days of hospitalization is required after surgery. The day after the surgery, the patient is raised and carried out. Patients can walk alone in about 3 weeks without support or assistance.
7. How does the age of the patient affect the treatment plan and the healing process while hip replacement is applied?
While the healing process of very elderly patients is slightly longer, the recovery period after surgery is shorter in younger patients. However, it is not the chronological age of the patient that matters, but the physiological age. That is how solid your body is. In this respect, comorbid diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease are important.
8. What should the patients pay attention to after the operation?
For 6 months, some movements such as cross-legged and crouching may not be desired. It is not recommended to gain extra weight. It is not recommended to inject the ipsilateral hip. The treatment of infections that will develop in the body should not be interrupted.