One of the largest joints of the human body is the hip joint. This joint is placed in a capsule, strengthened with ligaments, and its internal shell is covered with a synovial membrane that produces lubrication for articular cartilage. Around the joint on all sides is a muscle tissue.
Trauma and a variety of degenerative processes in the joint can lead to such unpleasant symptoms as pain, reduced mobility, lameness, etc. Of course, these pathological occurrences significantly reduce a person's activity, his capacity for work, and quality of life. Almost always when a hip joint is affected, conservative methods turn out to be ineffective, and the only way to regain limb function is to replace the hip joint.
Indications for hip replacement surgery
Such surgical intervention can be performed with the following diseases:
- fracture of the femoral neck ;
- post-traumatic changes in pelvic and hip bones;
- deforming osteoarthritis;
- arthritis;
- necrotic phenomena in the head of the femur;
- ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
Methods for Prosthetics of the Hip Joint
Depending on the type and degree of damage to the joint, its replacement with artificial elements can be carried out in different volumes. Total prosthetics provides for a complete replacement of this joint and is shown for large lesions. At the same time, prosthetics of the femoral head and the acetabulum of the hip bone are also performed. In more mild cases, it is possible to replace the cartilaginous tissue of the joint without affecting the bones.
Selection of the prosthesis is carried out on an individual basis. Fixation of artificial elements can be:
- cement - is used more often for elderly patients in whom the bone tissue is weakened;
- cementless - is used for young patients whose bones are strong enough (in this case, after prosthetics, fixation of the operated limb for a period of not less than a month and a half is required).
Features of the operation for the replacement of the hip joint
Before the operation, you need a full medical examination with laboratory tests and radiography. For a few weeks or months, it is recommended to begin training to strengthen the muscles, stop taking alcohol and smoking, and do weight management. Also before the operation, a preventative course against infections and thromboembolism is prescribed. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and can last from 45 minutes to 3 hours.
Complications after hip replacement
The first 14 days after the operation, the patient is obligatorily in the hospital under the supervision of doctors, tk. there is a risk of complications such as:
- thromboembolism;
- dislocation;
- infectious process.
Rehabilitation after hip replacement
The length of the recovery period after the replacement of the hip joint is determined, first of all, by how accurately the patient will perform the doctor's appointments and correctly develop
To get up on legs with support on crutches, as a rule, is allowed on the second day. Sutures are removed after two weeks, drainage - after 3 - 4 days. Approximately in one-and-a-half months the patient can already move without crutches. Return to normal full-fledged life after the replacement of the hip joint in a year.