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Hip replacement surgery is a procedure where Dr. Woodworth surgically removes a painful hip joint with arthritis and replaces it with an artificial joint often made from metal and plastic components. It usually is done when all other treatment options have failed to provide adequate pain relief. The procedure should relieve a painful hip joint, making walking easier.
Hip or Groin Pain: Soreness during or after exercise or pain that interferes with your daily activities could be a sign of hip arthritis. The pain is usually localised between your hip and knee. If the pain is lower down towards the ankle the problem might be caused by back problems. Some people find themselves relying on a walking stick or compensating with a limp. Others regularly take painkillers to deal with the pain. You don’t have to put up with it.
Stiffness: Difficulty putting your shoes or socks is a common sign of stiffness in your hip, especially if one foot is more difficult than the other. If this is an ongoing problem, you should speak with a specialist.
Coming Up Short: If hip or groin pain is preventing you from walking normal distances for you, then speak to a specialist. For some, being able to walk comfortably to the postbox is sufficient. For others, not being able to complete a five-mile walk is unthinkable. It all depends on your lifestyle.
The One Leg Test: If you can’t stand on your problem leg for longer than a minute – even with the support of a door frame or table-top for balance, then you might have a badly damaged hip
Most hip problems can be resolved without a full hip replacement. There is a range of treatments available, including physiotherapy and medication, that may better address your symptoms.
Hip replacement surgery can be performed traditionally or by using what is considered a minimally-invasive technique. The main difference between the two procedures is the size of the incision.
During standard hip replacement surgery, you are given general anesthesia to relax your muscles and put you into a temporary deep sleep. This will prevent you from feeling any pain during the surgery or have any awareness of the procedure. A spinal anesthetic may be given to help prevent pain as an alternative.
Dr. Woodworth will then make a cut along the side of the hip and move the muscles connected to the top of the thighbone to expose the hip joint. Next, the ball portion of the joint is removed by cutting the thighbone with a saw. Then an artificial joint is attached to the thighbone using either cement or a special material that allows the remaining bone to attach to the new joint.
Dr. Woodworth then prepares the surface of the hipbone — removing any damaged cartilage — and attaches the replacement socket part to the hipbone. The new ball part of the thighbone is then inserted into the socket part of the hip. A drain may be put in to help drain any fluid. The doctor then reattaches the muscles and closes the incision.
While most hip replacement surgeries today are performed using the standard technique (one 8 to 10 inch cut along the side of the hip), in recent years, Dr. Woodworth is an expert at using a minimally-invasive technique where only one to two cuts from 2 to 5 inches long are made. The same procedure is performed through these small cuts as with standard hip replacement surgery.
The small cuts usually lessen blood loss, ease pain following surgery, shorten hospital stays, reduce scar appearance, and speed healing.
Since there can be some blood loss during hip replacement surgery, you may need a blood transfusion, so you may want to consider donating your own blood before the procedure.
Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine will help you decide how to best treat your hip fracture. Call Dr. Woodworth today at (702) 545-6194 for an appointment.
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