Hip arthroplasty; Total hip replacement; Hip hemiarthroplasty
The results are usually excellent. The operation relieves pain and stiffness, and most patients need no help walking.
With time -- sometimes as long as 20 years -- the artificial joint will loosen and revision surgery will become necessary. Younger people may wear out the lining of their new cup and need it replaced before the artificial hip loosens.
You will remain in the hospital for 3 to 5 days after surgery. However, some people may need to stay temporarily at a rehabilitation unit or long-tern care center until mobility has improved and they are safely able to live independently. These centers will provide intensive physical therapy to assist you in regaining muscle strength and flexibility in the joint.
Be careful after surgery that you don't dislocate the artificial hip. The new hip will not have the same range of movement of the original joint, although you should eventually be able to return to your previous level of activity. While you should avoid vigorous sports such skiing or contact sports, many people go on to play tennis and golf quite successfully.
The use of crutches or a walker may be necessary for as long as 3 months, although most people who did not use them before are able to walk without them in several weeks.
Many surgeons place their patients on blood thinners for several weeks after surgery to help prevent blood clots. These may be taken in the form of pills (either Coumadin or aspirin) or injections.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
The new joint has a limited range of movement. You will need to take special precautions to avoid displacing the joint, including:
Harkess JW. Arthroplasty of the Hip. In: Canale ST. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2007: Chap. 7.
St Clair SF. Hip and knee arthroplasty in the geriatric population. Clin Geriatr Med. Aug 2006; 22(3): 515-33.
Jones CA. Total joint arthroplasties: current concepts of patient outcomes after surgery. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. Feb 2007; 33(1): 71-86.