The Need for Hip Replacement Surgery to Ease the Pain of Damaged Hip Joint

A human body consists of numerous bones which form the structure of human skeleton. The bones are connected together in some parts with help of joints such as elbow joint, hip joint and knee joint. Hip joint is the largest joint present in human body. It is type of ball and socket joint which enables human to stand, sit, move easily and maintain balance. Hip pain may be caused due to diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and avascular necrosis which effects the ligaments, muscles and tendons. 

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which an orthopedic surgeon surgically removes a painful hip joint and put an artificial joint in its place. Hip replacement surgery is done when other treatments, therapies and pain medications have not being able to relieve the debilitating pain to the patient. The surgeon can perform semi or total hip replacement according to the condition of the hip joint. 

Osteoarthritis is one of the common reasons of hip pain and it is caused by breakdown of bone cartilage which causes significant pain and bone stiffness. Hip replacement surgery is performed to replace the damaged hip joint with an artificial joint which will help mobility and improve hip function. 

Hip replacement surgery is carried after hip damage is confirmed in x-ray report. Before start of the surgery the surgeon gives anesthesia to sedate the patient and relax the muscles. The surgeon will make an incision along the side of the hip and move the muscles so that the hip joint is exposed. The ball portion of the hip joint is removed and artificial joint made of metallic and plastic components is attached using special bone cement. The patient is kept in hospital for five to six days during which physical therapy is performed and patient is allowed to walk using crutches or a cane until artificial hip joint is functioning properly.