Hip Replacement

Hip Replacement Operations: Who Are Good Candidates?

Typically a hip replacement operation is recommended for those who have suffered damage to their hips as a result of disease or injury. The damage must be severe enough to interfere with the daily activities and mobility of the person as then the operation will be worth the effort. For example the patient might find it difficult to walk or may be confined to a wheelchair.

Before suggesting hip replacement doctors will try to repair the damage and control the pain using a combination of medication and physiotherapy. It is only if these non-surgical methods prove ineffective that hip replacement is considered.

Most patients who opt for hip replacement surgery do so in order to improve the quality of their lives and reduce the pain. It is hoped that the surgery will take away the constant pain and stiffness and return the patient to an active life. Increase in mobility and enhancement of the hip function are two of the motivating factors in undergoing hip replacement.

Hip replacement is often used in treating osteoarthritis. Other kinds of arthritis which affect the hip also come under the purview of this surgical procedure. For example, rheumatoid arthritis leads to inflammation of the joints and results in pain, swelling and stiffness while osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis causes the bone to die by denying it supply of blood. Serious damage to the hips can be caused by injury and bone tumours too. Hip replacement surgery might be the way out for any of these patients.

Traditionally hip replacement surgeries were carried out only on those above 60 years of age. It was thought that the surgery would be more successful then because older people are more likely to lead sedentary lives. The new artificial hip would then not be put under much strain and would subsequently last longer. However with the development of technology and advance in methodology, it has been found that hip replacement surgery works just as well with younger people. The implants themselves have also been developed considerably to make them capable of withstanding greater stress and become more durable.

Before recommending hip replacement operations, surgeons take into consideration a number of factors. While the patient's age is an important consideration, general health status, lifestyle and normal activity levels also play a part in taking the decision. It is imperative that the patient is not suffering from other ailments that are chronic in nature or which cause muscle weakness. These ailments can get in the way of recovery and moreover are liable to damage or dislocate the artificial hip. Because of this hip replacement surgery is not recommended in such situations. Hip replacement is also likely to be more successful if the hip joint deterioration is not in the advanced stages.

At the end of the day the decision to undergo a hip replacement operation lies with the patient. The pros and cons of the situation have to be weighed carefully and a decision arrived at in consultation with the doctor and family members.