Hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint. It is the primary weight-bearing joint of the body, and it allows movement in multiple directions: flexion, extension, rotation, and abduction. The socket of the hip joint is called the acetabulum, and it’s made up of three bones:
• The cup-shaped top of the femur is called the acetabulum
• The ilium of the pelvis
• The ischium bones make up part of the pelvis.
To function properly, each hip joint requires a soft cushion between these two bones. The cartilage reduces friction and wears by making it easier for them to glide smoothly against one another.
Healthy cartilage comprises chondrocytes, which are cells that produce the matrix that makes up the cartilage. Researchers have successfully grown artificial cartilage from stem cells cultured with growth factors in a 3D scaffolding made of chemicals similar to those found in real cartilage.
Age-related decrease in range of motion and flexibility, arthritis, and other conditions can cause the cartilage of the hip joint to wear down, which leads to painful and debilitating diseases like osteoarthritis.
Total hip replacement in Richardson, TX (also called total hip arthroplasty) is a surgical procedure in which the damaged cartilage and bone of the hip joint are surgically replaced with artificial materials. The artificial joint is most commonly made up of a metal shaft that replaces the femur and a metal socket that replaces the acetabulum.
Hip replacement implant is designed to mimic the natural motion of your hip. It consists of two main parts: the ball (head) and the cup (socket). A plastic liner or spacer can also be used to take up excess space in the socket.
Surgeons often use computer-assisted surgery to line up the parts of your new hip implant, allowing them to make sure it moves correctly. This process is called computer-assisted navigation. It helps surgeons place the implants at precise angles and locations for optimal positioning after surgery.
Before surgery, your doctor will prepare your hip replacement implant to match the size of your socket. The surgeon removes damaged tissue and bone from the hip joint during arthroscopic surgery or larger incisions. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small instruments to visualize inside the body through a tiny cut.
The surgeon will then place the new hip joint into your bone. This is an excellent time to use 3D imaging technology because it can help your doctor ensure that your new hip will move smoothly when you’re out of surgery.
Finally, the surgeon uses sutures or staples to hold everything in place while it heals. A metal screw, called a fixation device, is sometimes used to hold the implant in place during the healing process.
After surgery, you’ll begin physical therapy. You will slowly be able to increase your range of motion as your hip heals. This can take anywhere from three months to two years after surgery, depending on how much work you put into keeping your new hip strong and flexible.
There is always a risk of infection after surgery, but it can be easily treated with antibiotics. Blood clots may form in your calf muscles if you don’t move around enough for them to circulate efficiently.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend removing the implants due to a change in your condition or if they become loose or badly damaged. This surgery is called a revision hip replacement and will usually require a more extended rehabilitation period than the original procedure.
Although hip replacements usually last 15 years after implantation, research is continually being done to make them even more durable. In the meantime, hip replacement surgery is a good option for people who no longer can function well with their current level of pain or mobility.
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POSMC is a full-service medical facility specializing in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries. The practice is led by a group of 12 board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Contact us today!