Hip replacement surgery is a common procedure performed in America. This procedure is commonly done on older patients. Hip replacement surgery is executed to alleviate pain and bring back the patient’s mobility and flexibility. There are a variety of reasons why patients may need a hip replacement surgery but the following are the most common.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of hip arthritis that affects middle-aged and older adults. This condition causes the breakdown of the cartilage surrounding the hip joint. Wearing down the joint may cause the formation of small bone growths. These small bone growths are called bone spurs and may interfere with proper movement. The bone spurs cause the wear and tear of the hip joints, which leads to swelling, pain, and inflammation over time.
Osteoarthritis may affect joints all over the body, but it commonly affects the hips, knees, hands, and spine. You can typically manage symptoms with medications, a proper diet, and a healthy lifestyle. However, some progressed conditions may need surgery and more invasive interventions, which will be determined by an arthritis doctor.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
RA is an autoimmune disorder that signals the body’s immune response to attack healthy cells, which causes inflammation of joints. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the hands and the feet, but may also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels, as well as other joints. The formation of lumps, also known as rheumatoid nodules, may form in different areas of the body, like the hips.
Common treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are medication and physical therapy. If these interventions fail, surgery may be recommended. However, surgery does not treat the condition, rather, it focuses on clearing the lumps and correcting the deformities caused by the disease.
Osteonecrosis
This condition is also called avascular necrosis. It is a result of a temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bones. The lack of blood supply causes the bones to become weak and porous, eventually leading to the death of bone tissue. If this happens near a joint, it may cause the joint to degenerate and collapse.
A broken bone or a dislocated joint may cause a lack of blood flow to the bone. In some cases, osteonecrosis may be due to trauma or injury. However, some are caused by long-term use of corticosteroids that may affect the growth of the bone.
Orthopedic doctors usually treat this condition with a bone graft. The bone graft allows the surgeon to replace the affected bone with a new and healthy one. Medications may also be prescribed to help manage the pain. If this happens near the joint, joint replacement surgery is more appropriate.
Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in cartilage cells. This condition usually affects the joints of the shoulder, hips, and pelvis. Chondrosarcoma is the second most common type of primary bone cancer. It starts from the bone and spreads to other organs when it progresses.
Treatment for this condition usually involves surgery to remove the cancer mass. Radiation and chemotherapy are also employed after surgery to eliminate cancer cells that may be left.
Hip Injury
This is a condition that poses a greater risk as we age. Hip injuries may be mild or life-threatening depending on their severity and complexity. Hip fractures are usually treated surgically but may require follow-up physical therapy to ensure proper rehabilitation.
Old injuries, like fractures and tears, may heal improperly. This may cause tissue and bone scarring that complicates the condition. It may also compromise the proper blood flow to the bone and cause bone death and other medical complications.
If you’re advised to get hip replacement surgery or are considering getting one, talk to your doctor. A proper assessment of your condition is needed to supply you with the most appropriate treatment intervention. Your doctor will also inform you of the risks and benefits of surgery. You may also have some questions you want to ask, and your doctor should be able to answer all your concerns.
Orthopedic Surgery Centers In San Antonio, TX
Different hip conditions require different approaches to help solve them. Make sure to contact your orthopedic doctor to assess your condition and be given proper intervention. If you’re looking for a place to get your orthopedic health checked, look no further than the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Together with our finest healthcare providers and a set of equally experienced and caring staff, we will make sure to give you the best healthcare possible. From diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.
If you want to know more about our services, you may give us a call at (210) 692-7400 or check in online anytime. You may also secure an appointment by using our appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
