Arthritis of the hip may lead to degeneration of the hip joint, a deep 'ball-and-socket' joint that connects the leg to the pelvis. Its progression can take a toll on many aspects of your life, deteriorating your ability to do routine work and causing unending joint pain, joint stiffness and decreased hip flexibility. You may also need a cane, walker or even a wheelchair to move around.
The hip joint is located where the thigh bone (femur) meets the pelvis (hip). Normally, a round ball at the top of the femur moves smoothly in the socket of the hip.
Hip arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a common cause of hip joint pain which may worsen with hip movement. Patients with advanced osteoarthritis also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease may require surgical intervention.
Arthritis of the hip may range from earliest mild stages to its most severe crippling form. In its milder stage, arthritis can be treated with steroids and anti-rheumatoid medications, heat treatment, exercise, supportive devices and modification of activities. But, in severe cases where the cartilage on both sides of the joint wears away completely, surgical intervention is the only effective way to treat the hip adequately.
There are two main surgical methods to treat osteoarthritis (OA or degenerative arthritis) of the hip - Hip Joint Replacement Surgery and Hip Resurfacing Surgery.
Hip replacement (hip arthroscope) is usually considered for patients who experience severe joint pain at night, decreased hip mobility and rubbing sensations during certain movements, and have tried conservative measures to relieve these symptoms but failed.
Total hip replacement is a very successful procedure for the treatment of arthritic hip. Often considered as the cheapest and safest form of hip replacement surgery, it is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by artificially constructed components. This form of surgery amputates the damaged and worn parts of the femur including the head (ball) of femur and fixes a new, smaller man-made metal ball into the rest of the femur, which brings back the hip to its strong, stable and flexible state again.
Pros
There is no risk of femoral neck fracture because this bone is removed.
The surgery consistently reduces or eliminates the hip pain.
It can give you many years of freedom from uneasiness and fatigue that so far kept you awake at night.
Osteoarthritis patients can experience a significant improvement in their hip mobility and movements after the surgery.
Cons
Surgery calls for more femoral bone amputation.
More chances of hip dislocations.
Plastic or ceramic surfaces may break.
Patients may continue to experience thigh pain.
Most patients can't perform high璽??level athletics.
Chances are strong that traditional hip replacement will wear out and the patient may require a second replacement (revision).
Hip resurfacing is a type of hip replacement which calls for preservation rather than amputation of the original socket (acetabulum) and the ball of the thigh bone. Instead of removing the femoral head, a hollow metal cap is fitted onto the damaged surfaces of the ball. The socket part of the hip joint is also resurfaced with a metal component.
Pros
Hip resurfacing removes considerably less bone from the femur.
Larger portion of the natural femoral bone remains intact.
It is a bone conserving surgery, allowing for a revision (repeat) hip surgery if required later.
The hip resurfacing implants have a larger head and cup, making the hip really harder to dislocate.
The surgery allows patients to resume sport and high demand activities.
Cons
This form of hip joint surgery is technically more difficult to perform.
It requires a larger incision in thigh that can lead to excessive blood loss.
Hip resurfacing patients may fracture their thigh bone at the femoral neck, requiring revision surgery.
Complete recovery after the operation can take from six weeks to three months.
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