HIP ARTHRITIS AND ITS TREATMENT OPTIONS

About hip joint and its anatomy

The hip joint forms where the top of the thigh bone (femur) meets the socket of the
pelvic bone (the acetabulum). The top of the femur is shaped like a ball and it fits
snugly in the socket formed by the acetabulum. The hip bones are covered with a
layer of slick cartilage, which cushions and protects the bones while allowing
smooth movement.

About hip pain

Avascular Necrosis (AVN)
AVN is the loss of blood supply to the bone as a result of fracture or vascular
damage. As a result, the affected bone dies, then the bone collapses, the joint is
destroyed and the person develops a painful and stiff joint. This can take from 2-8
years to develop, but can happen at an early age too. The most common reasons
for AVN are: alcohol abuse, use of steroids, dislocation and post trauma (accidents).
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis or the degenerative joint disease is the most common type of
arthritis. OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joints
cartilage. The breakdown of the cartilage causes the bones to rub against each
other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement of the joint. It is associated with
aging and most typically begins among people aged 50 years or older. A young
person who develops osteoarthritis, typically has had an injury to the hip or may
have an inherited form of the disease.
Trauma related pain
This results from damage to the joint from a previous surgery. It also results in joint
damage, pain and loss of ability.
Treatment options
When medication, physical therapy and other conservative methods of treatment no
longer relieve pain, Total Hip Replacement may be recommended by your surgeon.
Total Hip Replacement helps relieve pain and allows patients to perform many
activities that may have been limited due to hip pain.

What is Total Hip Replacement (THR)?

THR is the replacement of the ball and socket of the hip joint with implants. There
are 2 main components used in THR. The acetabular shell replaces the hip socket;
The femoral stem replaces the worn out top of the femur. During surgery, the head
of the femur (thigh bone) is removed and replaced with both a stem and socket,
mimicking your existing anatomy.
Advantages of Hip Replacement Surgery
Relieves pain
Corrects any deformity. For example, leg length inequality

Restoresanylossoffunctioninyourhip
Improvesyourqualityoflife;abilitytoreturntonormal
activities
PreparingforaHipReplacement
Thereareseveralthingsthatyoucandobeforeyoursurgerytomakeyourrecoverysuccessful,
easierandsafer.
1. Committothesuccessofthesurgery:Workingasateam,you,yourdoctor,your
physiotherapistandyourfamilymustadoptapositiveattitudetowardsthesuccessof
yoursurgery.Remainasactiveaspossible:Remainingactivebeforetheoperationwill
helpinaquickerrecoveryandmoreflexibilityaftertheoperation.
2. StopSmoking:Thiswillhelpreducetheriskofcomplicationsduringandafteryour
surgery.
3. Makesureallinfectionsarecleareduppriortothesurgery:
Theseincludetoothabscesses,bladderinfections,infectionssuchaslegulcers,coldand
theflu.Thisistoensurethattheinfectiondoesnotspreadthroughthebodyduringthe
operationandinfectthenewlyreplacedjoint.
4. Onthedayoftheoperation,itisusualthatthedoctorwillaskyounottodrinkoreat
anything.Theareaaroundyourkneemaybeshavedtoreducetheriskofinfection.
Approximately,anhourbeforetheoperationyoumaybegiventabletsoraninjectionto
relaxyou.