| Hip
Arthritis |
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INTRODUCTION
If
your hip has been damaged by arthritis from any cause,
common activities such as walking or getting in and out
of a chair may be painful and
difficult. You may even feel uncomfortable while resting. Medication
may control your pain for a short while but long term use of
pain killers is not likely to do any good to your stomach.
You may therefore
want to consider hip replacement surgery. By replacing your diseased
hip joint with an artificial joint, hip replacement surgery can
relieve your pain and help you get back to enjoying normal,
everyday activities.
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First
performed in 1960, hip replacement surgery is one of the
most important surgical advances of this century. Since
then, improvements in joint replacement surgical techniques
and technology have greatly increased the effectiveness
of this surgery. Today, more than 200,000 hip replacements
are performed each year in the United States. |
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| Common Causes
of Hip Pain and Loss of Hip Mobility |
The most common cause of chronic hip pain
and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this
disease. |
Osteoarthritis usually
occurs after age 50. The articular cartilage covering & cushioning
the bones of the hip wears away. The bones then rub against
each other, causing hip pain and stiffness. |
Avascular
Necrosis is a common condition leading
to secondary Osteoarthritis. The blood supply to the
ball part of the joint (femoral head) is cut off due
to various reasons and this leads to weakening of the
bone and eventually arthritis. Steriod use, warranted
or unwarranted, is the most common cause in India. |
Rheumatoid
Arthritis is a disease in which the synovial
membrane becomes inflamed, produces too much synovial
fluid, and damages the articular cartilage, leading to
pain and stiffness. |
Traumatic
Arthritis can follow a serious hip injury
or fracture. A hip fracture can also cause avascular
necrosis described above. |
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| Is
Hip Replacement Surgery for You? |
The
decision whether to have hip replacement surgery should
be a cooperative one between you, your family, & your
orthopaedic surgeon. While most patients who undergo hip
replacement surgery are of age 60 to 80, orthopaedic surgeons
evaluate patients individually. Recommendations for surgery
are based on the extent of your pain, disability, and general
health status, not solely on age.
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You may benefit from
hip replacement surgery if:
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Hip pain limits your everyday activities
such as walking, bending. |
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Hip pain continues while resting, either day or night |
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Stiffness in a hip limits your ability to move or lift
your leg. |
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You have limited pain relief from anti-inflammatory drugs. |
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You have harmful or unpleasant side effects from your
pain relieving medications. |
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Other treatments such as physiotherapy don't relieve
hip pain. |
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