Introduction
Surgical techniques
Post-operative recovery
Patients who have had a hip replacement operation should receive basic advice to minimise the risk of dislocation:
- for hips the most common type of operation is a cemented hip replacement. A metal femoral component is cemented into the femoral shaft. This is accompanied by a cemented acetabular polyethylene cup
- uncemented hip replacements are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in younger more active patients. They are more expensive than conventional cemented hip replacements
- hip resurfacing is also sometimes used where a metal cap is attached over the femoral head. This is often used in younger patients and has the advantage that the femoral neck is preserved which may be useful if conventional arthroplasty is needed later in life
Post-operative recovery
- patients receive both physiotherapy and a course of home-exercises
- walking sticks or crutches are usually used for up to 6 weeks after hip or knee replacement surgery
Patients who have had a hip replacement operation should receive basic advice to minimise the risk of dislocation:
- avoiding flexing the hip > 90 degrees
- avoid low chairs
- do not cross your legs
- sleep on your back for the first 6 weeks
Complications
Complications of total hip replacement
Reasons for revision of total hip replacement
- venous thromboembolism
- intraoperative fracture
- nerve injury
Reasons for revision of total hip replacement
- aseptic loosening (most common reason)
- pain
- dislocation
- infection