Hip Replacement – Why?

Why would a person choose to do hip replacement surgery?

Hips, stand most people in good stead in their early years. Literally.

We stand well thanks to the hip joint. We can bend, twist and stretch, and walk and run. The sturdy hip joint supports and allows all that movement.

 

So, when do problems with a person’s hip joint begin?

 

A Little Bit About the Hip Joint

 

The structure of the hip

 

Hip is a ball-and-socket joint.

 

The ‘ball’ is the rounded end of the femur bone. The femur, is the bone of the upper leg. It is the longest bone in the body.

 

The ‘socket’ is found within the part of the pelvis bone, called the acetabulum.

 

There is cartilage on the ends of the bones and also synovial fluid, both of which make the movement in the joint smoother.

 

Ligaments and tendons complete the structure of the joint, holding the bones securely in place. The soft parts of the joint, aid in the flexibility and functionality of the joint.

 

 

Damage is Caused When

 

Any injury to the tendons and ligaments that is not taken care of, can worsen with age. A good way to repair initial injury to the hip is with physical therapy or low-intensity exercise such as swimming.

 

Refraining from exercise, however, leads to uneven use of the hip joint, and wear and tear.

 

Since the body is affected by what a person eats, a poor diet can also affect the joint health.

 

Damage to any of the parts of the hip, can repaired by a number of alternatives to surgery.

 

If not repaired within time, there could be permanent damage. That could lead to a need for partial or total hip replacement.

 

How Does the Hip Joint Wear Out?

Medically speaking, there are many causes for the hip wearing out. Some of the most common causes are:

 

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Injury to the softer parts of the joint
• Fracture of the bones due to a fall
• Disease that affects the bone health

 

 

The Pain Gets Worse

Real problems might begin when a person feels arthritic pain in the hip – and then they hold back from movement.

 

A senior would be best advised, not to ignore hip pain. It would be more sensible to get the pain checked out. If it is the beginning of osteoarthritis, part of the advice of the doctor is probably going to be to walk. Walking, upon a doctor’s advice, is the best form of exercise for hips.

 

At Harvard,  the recommendation for arthritis, is to walk on most days of the week.

 

Damage can sometimes be stopped, or at least mitigated, through the correct exercise program.

 

 

Living with The Results of a Worn Hip Joint

A person who has worn hip joints could be experiencing:

 

• Pain, at the area of the hip, even while resting
• Upon moving, pain in the hip or in the groin
• Reduced mobility, such as difficulty reaching the feet, especially on one side
• Walking and sitting causes pain.

 

 

Hip Replacement Surgery – A Doorway to Mobility

Hip replacement is typically only carried out if any other alternatives have been exhausted. One reason for that is, that total hip replacement is quite a major surgery.

 

People who have hip replacements, are usually aged between 50 to 80 years, which is the window of opportunity for hip replacement.

Some patients in their 90’s have had successful hip replacement surgery.

 

Doctors take into account, the overall health of the a hip replacement candidate, at any age.

 

Hip replacement can give a patient:

 

• Improved mobility
• Better quality of life and life expectancy
• Dramatic reduction in pain

 

Conclusion

Hip replacement surgery can help suitable patients. A patient should follow up the surgery by hip replacement rehab.

Hopefully, the patient’s new hip will get right into the picture. The new hip joint should be good for many years of good service and mobility, following the hip replacement.

 

 

 

Photo by Nahtan Jackson on Unsplash