Total Hip Replacement

Total Hip Replacement

The surgical replacement of damaged hips was first seen in the 1960s. These original procedures were fairly simplistic and primitive compared to what is seen in the medical field today. Advances in medical study, technological equipment, and surgical skill have improved hip replacement procedures and made them the incredible aid to patients that they are today.

There are a variety of reasons why a medical physician might recommend a total joint replacement surgery including when a patient is suffering an unbearable amount of pain or when damage has resulted in a loss of function which is severe. When medication, physical therapy, and diet restrictions have all proved inadequate to alleviate the suffering of a patient, joint replacement surgery is usually the next line of treatment recommended by a medical practitioner. Before proceeding with a surgery, doctors will look at x-ray images of the affected area in order to determine if the pain is originating from another source. This way, patients are protected from having to undergo unnecessary surgical procedures.

How does Total Hip Replacement Surgery Work?
If it is determined that the patient's pain is, in fact, the result of joint damage, then surgery will often follow. A total joint replacement procedure will consist of a series of integrated components that will work together in order to solve the problem. During an outpatient surgery, the ends of both bones around a damaged joint will be replaced―thus creating new joint surfaces. These surgeries consist of a few variables that can change depending on the medical staff, the patient's specific situation, and, to an extent, the desires expressed by the patient themselves. One such variable is in conjunction with the use of cement. In some instances, surgeons will use a special type of cement adhesive in order to join together the artificial joint and the bone. In other instances, cement will not be used. Instead, surgeons will apply a porous coating in specific locations around the affected area. This substance is created in order to allow the bone and joint to adhere to one another over a period of time. Following a surgery, the bone will grow―filling up the void spaces in the pores of the coating and attaching the bone to the new joint.

There are several different anesthetic approaches to joint replacement surgery. In many cases, physicians will use a general anesthesia to complete the procedure this means that a patient will be completely unconscious throughout the surgery. Other times, doctors will opt to use a regional anesthetic. In these instances, a patient is drowsy, but awake, state while the affected areas are rendered void of any feeling. The health of a patient may determine which option is exercised. In other cases, it may simply be based on the preference of the attending physician. When a total hip replacement surgery is performed, the objective is to replace the upper portion of the femur or thighbone with a metal, ball-like, component. The pelvic hip-socket is resurfaced with a metal shell and a liner of plastic. Also, damaged cartilage is typically replaced using new joint material.

The World-Class Surgeons at miVIP
When it comes to your health, investing in the right team of people is crucial to a positive outcome. Surgery can be a nerve racking proposition for many. With miVIP, patients can rest easy knowing they are in the hands of some of the world's finest medical professionals. With state of the art facilities, accredited and certified surgeons, and cutting edge technology, it is not hard to see why so many patients choose miVIP.

What to Expect after Hip Replacement
Following a hip replacement surgery, patients are usually instructed not to put weight on an un-cemented artificial hip for at least six weeks―whereas patients with a cemented hip may be able to apply weight immediately. There are a few aspects which can determine how long a rehabilitation period can last, and how lasting the results are. These include things such as how much a patient weighs before, during, and following a surgery and how effectively a patient is able to control their weight throughout rehabilitation and beyond.

There are a number of reasons why total hip replacement can be beneficial to a patient's productivity and maintenance of lifestyle:

Patients often feel that their pain has been dramatically decreased after surgery
With an artificial hip, it is often easier for a patient to preform regular movements, such as climbing stairs
Many patients are able to enjoy light recreational activities, once more, following a hip replacement
The positivity of the outcome after surgery largely depends on the success of the rehabilitation process and the degree of investment the patient has in their recovery.

Cost of Hip Replacement Surgery
At miVIP, we provide service to a wide range of patients, from all kinds of financial backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding the financial implications of our procedures, contact us. One of our knowledgeable representatives would be happy to discuss the options available to you.

Other Information
If you or a loved one is expecting to undergo a hip replacement procedure, it is important that you have an understanding of the necessary steps to follow in order to be as prepared as possible. Proper preparation is not only important to the procedure itself, but also to your state of mind as a patient. Having everything you need, where you need it will provide you with the peace of mind and mental clarity to face something which many find to be intimidating, to say the least. When consulting with your physician, ask about what you should do to prepare for your hip replacement surgery. Your doctor will provide you with everything you need to know in order to be completely ready.

Contact Us
It is important that you are able to ask about any questions you may have leading up to your procedure. If there is anything that you feel you don't have a clear understanding of, or if you have any questions about preparation for surgery, call miVIP at 855-496-4847. You will be provided with any answers you seek concerning your upcoming hip replacement.