Hip Replacement: Normal Vs Minimally Invasive

1. Hip Replacement: Normal Vs Minimally Invasive by Medmonks Health Posted: Jul 23, 2018 Hip replacement surgery is a procedure where pain in the hip joint is crrected by replacing the joint with an artificial substitute, often made of metal and plastic. It is usually a last resort when all other treatments have failed to provide adequate pain relief. Hip replacement can be performed in two ways. The normal route and the minimally invasive route differ by the size of the incision made during surgery. Standard Procedure During standard hip replacement surgery, the patient is given general anaesthesia to relax their muscles and put them into a temporary deep sleep. This prevents them from feeling any pain during the surgery or having any awareness of the procedure. Anaesthesia may also be administered into the spine as an alternative to help prevent pain. A cut is then made along the side of the hip and the muscles adjacent to the hip are moved aside, exposing the hip joint. Next, the 'ball' of the joint is seperated with a saw. An artificial joint is then attached to the thighbone with the help of either cement or other materials that adheres the remaining bone and the new joint. The doctor then prepares the surface of the hipbone by removing any damaged cartilage and attaches the replacement socket part to the hipbone. Then the new 'ball' is tethered to the hip's 'socket'. Any excess fluid is drained following which the surgeon reattaches the muscles and the incision is closed. Minimally-invasive technique Most hip replacement surgeries today use an 8-10 inch incision, but in recent years, some doctors have been using a minimally-invasive technique. In this approach, the surgeons will make smaller incisions which are usualy 2-5 inches long, following which

2. the same procedure is performed through these small cuts as with standard hip replacement surgery. The comparatively smaller cuts limit blood loss and cause lesser pain post the procedure. As a result, scars are less noticeable, nad the patient heals faster. The patient may have to stay in bed with a wedge-shaped cushion between the legs to help keep the new hip joint in place. The patient will most likely stay in the hospital for upto a week. To help the patient urinate, a drainage tube is often placed in the bladder. Physical therapy usually begins the next day and within days you can walk with a walker, crutches, or a cane. however, the physical therapy will continue for weeks to months after surgery. Blood loss is common after a hip replacement so a blood transfusion may be needed and the patient can consider donating his/her own blood before the procedure. It is important to understand that the hip is one of the most important joints of the body and surgery must be done only by good, experienced surgeons. Research has shown the outcomes with minimally-invasive approach may be worse than with standard hip replacement surgery if done by a doctor who is not very experienced with this technique. A reputed surgeon, however, may not be immediately available and the costs incurred could be out of the feasible budget for some people. Hip replacement in India may be a good solution for such people as India is home to some of the world's best surgeons and treatments will not set you back nearly as much as it would in some western countries. About the Author MedMonks is a unique platform helping patients all across the world to find right hospital, right healthcare specialist, and right treatment at right cost.