Hip replacements can be a viable alternative for individuals who suffer from pain caused by hip problems. These problems are more common in elderly individuals as their bodies have been worn down over time. Athletes are especially susceptible to hip injuries that could lead to hip replacements. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus has had hip replacement surgery.

Surgery

It is estimated that 300,000 people undergo hip replacement surgery each year the common cause of which usually stems from an arthritis problem called osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteonecrosis are other causes of surgery, but are less common than osteoarthritis. Anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy exercises, and the use of walking devises are used prior to hip replacement operation to relieve pain and, in some cases, eliminate the need for surgery altogether

Replacement Hips

There are many different types of hip replacements available for medical professional’s use. The latest hip replacement is made of ceramic material and performs well under contained experimentation, but due to the lack of long term research little is known about the long term stability and effectiveness of ceramic hip replacements. The most commonly used and widely tested hip replacement is made of a metal stem and cup with a plastic spacer. These metal hip replacements have a good track record of success as 90 percent function properly 10 years after surgery and 80 percent provide adequate results 20 years after surgery. Most patients are put under general anesthesia during the hip replacement procedure which lasts approximately two hours. If a hip replacement fails, there will likely be a revision hip replacement. These revision hip replacements are designed to replace the synthetic hip that is already in an individual’s body.

Hip Replacement Recovery

Physical therapy begins almost immediately after surgery as patients are allowed to exercise the legs to some degree the day after surgery. After several weeks, normal walking patterns are resumed and patients are usually cleared to return to everyday activities provided that these activities do not place undue amounts of stress on the hip. Some hip replacement patients choose to exercise in pools that take the weight off their legs. This allows them to exercise their legs and improve the range of motion with their new hip without placing painful weight on the new hip.

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