What You Need To Know About Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgery is often associated with the elderly yet can affect anyone at any age. There are numerous reasons one would need this type of surgery. Additionally, the recovery can take several weeks and be fairly quick for some. Today we are exploring the types of the conditions that require hip replacement surgery and some tips about the recovery. If you, or someone you love, is considering hip replacement surgery, this will be an excellent read for your day.

Osteoarthritis is #1

Osteoarthritis is the top reason for most hip replacement surgeries. This unfortunate condition wears down the cartilage and allows the bones to rub together. It is painful and debilitating, not allowing for day to day activities when you must move around often.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is the next top reason for surgery. This disease attacks the joints and can cause severe chronic inflammation. Many patients start out suffering at the hands and arms but it eventually works its way down the body. With the inflammation pressing on the hip joints, it can cause severe pain that limits the ability to walk. Most hip replacement surgery involves replacing the hip joint so that you can walk and not suffer anymore.

Avascular Necrosis

Avascular necrosis is a condition in which bone tissue dies because of lack of blood supply. It leads to tiny breaks into the bones until the bones collapse. Surgery is often required before the bones collapse to keep from severe damage to the body. The tiny fractures create pain and will often make walking and  moving incredibly difficult. When it is in the hip, surgery is inevitable.

Bone Tumors

Tumors inside the bone are sometimes painful and need to be treated. Not all bone tumors are cancerous and yet some of them are the result of cancer that originated elsewhere and traveled to the bone. Radiation therapy is often a treatment used when the tumor is benign and can be treated early on. Surgery is a last-ditch attempt at saving the hip joint that is infected with tumors and most often used to keep the tumors from spreading throughout the body when radiation does not work.

Recovery Is Fairly Easy

Most people can recover from hip replacement surgery within four to six weeks. It could take longer depending on your age and any other pre-existing conditions. Here are a few tips that can help you make the most of your recovery and get back to your normal life.

• Don’t be afraid to walk and exercise – by moving around you are taking the time to get used to your new hip and keep your blood flow pumping. If you don’t walk, you can lengthen your recovery time and put yourself at serious risk of blood clots.
• Watch what you eat – certain foods can add to inflammation in the body so be careful what you eat. Also, you want to keep on a healthy diet so that you don’t gain excessive weight that could damage your new hip.
• Be prepared – although you will be able to walk the day you are released from the hospital, you won’t be able to do everything like before. Things like shower chairs and bars around the toilet will be helpful while you adjust. Ask family and friends to help with errands so that you don’t overdo it. Create a task list of who can help you cook and bathe and when those things happen. They aren’t there to do it all for you but to assist you as you gain strength.

Hip replacement therapy can sound like a scary endeavor with a long recovery time. If you listen to your doctor’s instructions and do what you can to promote healing, you should be fine and pain-free.