Total stay in the hospital routinely varies from 5-7 days, but can belonger depending on your medical condition.
hip surgery
How long does an Artificial Hip last ?
Artificial hip joint is a good hip joint but not a normal one. Thesuccessful outcome of this surgery with newer long lasting durablematerial and standardized techniques is excellent. Over the yearsremarkable advances have been made in joint replacementtechnology to improve their durability. 90-95% hip replacements aresuccessful for 15 years. By 10 years approximately 25% of all artificialhips will look loose on X-rays, but only few of these will be thesymptomatic enough to require revision. Obesity, heavy labour jobsand very strenuous activity can affect the longevity of the artificial hipjoints.
What is Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) ?
In this the entire operation of hip implantation is done with skinincision size of 10 cm or less. The hip joint is approached throughinter muscular intervals. The advantage is early recovery and lesspain. This approach is done in selected patients. Though the skinincision is small but inside operation is exactly the same as in anyother approach.
What are the risks involved in this surgery ?
- Anaesthesia related complications: they are same as in any other major surgery.
- Any major surgery related complications: they are blood clots in the leg ( deep vein thrombosis), or in the lung (pulmonary embolism) etc.
- Total hip surgery related complications: they are less common. Some of these cases may even require a revision surgery. Some of these complications are:
Dislocation of the artificial hip joint: Incidence of this complication is low and most of them normally require closed reduction and splinting. But if the artificial joint dislocates repeatedly, then a revision surgery may by required.
Infection : it is the most significant complication in the artificial hip joint.
However, the incidence of serious hip joint infection is very low ( less than 1%) . Most of these infections (superficial or deep) respond favorably to antibiotics, but if the discharge continues, then one may require removal of artificial hip joint for the control of infection. Minor leg length difference Stiffness - The major long- term problem is loosening of the hip joint prosthesis. The other long- term complication is wearing of the plastic cup.
- Fracture neck of femur in Surface Hip Replacements, especially in 1st 6 months after surgery.
Can I undergo replacement of both Hips ?
Yes, both the hips can be replaced at the same sitting if you are medically fit. It means one time anaesthesia, one time hospital stay, one time surgery and one time pain medication. It will be cost effective as well. Your doctor can advise you if you can undergo replacement of both hip at the same sitting.