Hip Joint Replacement:
A hip joint is a fluid filled ball and socket joint which connects the head of the leg to the trunk of the body. Apart from shoulder joint, hip is the second most flexible joint in the human body, it also carries the body weight
along with the muscles and bones of the leg. A hip joint undertakes extreme levels of pressure during intense physical activities like jumping or running. Choose the right place for your joint replacement treatment at Narayana
Hospitals the best clinic for orthopedic problems provide the orthopedic doctors with years of experience to provide the best solutions to your problem.
A hip joint essentially is made up of the below components:
- Hip Bones : the femur (thigh bone) ad pelvic bone.
- Articular Cartilage: Allows smooth, friction free motion among bones.
- Muscles: joint supporting muscles which also enable movement.
- Ligaments and tendons: tissues which help combine bones with bones and ones with muscles respectively.
- Synovial membrane and fluid: this is the encapsulation on the knee joint which acts as a lubricant as well.
Hip Replacement is removal and replacement of the damaged part of the hip or the complete hip joint with an artificial joint. Modern hip joints made from artificial substances have the capability to last for 15 years or more, however
extensive care is necessary.
Few of the regular causes of damage are:
- Osteoarthritis: Usually comes with age and is determined by the damage to the cartilage.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An inflammatory disease which causes pain to the joint.
- Post traumatic arthritis: This is a result of a serious injury or trauma or fracture.
- Avascular necrosis (steonecrosis): This occurs when the blood flow to the head of the femur is restricted or reduced, which inturn causes the surface of the bone to collapse.
- Childhood hip disease: This may be a result of incomplete growth of hip as an infant.
Some of the common symptoms which indicate the need for a hip replacement surgery are pain and decrease on mobility and motion, this pain can be felt even when the body is at rest.
Types of hip replacement (hip arthoplasty) are:
- Total Hip Replacement Surgery: This is to relieve hip pain and improve the function of the bones at the joint. In this procedure, the surgeon replaces the femoral head with an artificial one.
- Partial Hip Replacement Surgery: This is done to replace the ball of the hip joint and does not essentially replace the socket completely; this is done to overcome impact from fractures etc.
- Hip resurfacing: In this process, the head of the femur is trimmed or capped to enhance the mobility and reduce friction.
