Introduction
Our bodies get strained from the physical activity that we perform on a daily basis. The wear and tear that affects our body increases if we are used to performing heavy physical activity. For example athletes are more prone to injuries and exhaustion. Old age is also a major cause of many of the physical injuries or ailments people face. In some cases an individual’s hip begins to cause severe pain whenever they move about. This pain becomes unbearable and can only be reduced through medication. If it persists and is a result of something serious such as osteoarthritis then you need to undergo a surgery. This is the hip surgery replacement. There are two different types of hip surgery replacement: a total replacement or a hemi (half replacement). This surgery involves replacing your hip joint by an implant.
History
The first hip replacement surgery was carried out in Germany. The femoral head was replaced by ivory. It was in the 1930s that artificial hips began to be used. However these had a number of problems attached to them and often the patient would have to go through another surgery to have it replaced by a new one. Over the past few years a lot of development has occurred in the medical sciences. The procedure of hip replacement surgery has become more advanced and hip implants of a variety of material have been invented. These include materials like ceramics, polythene etc. These are not only cheap but allow lubrication to occur, so they aren’t subject to much wear and tear.
Features
Hip replacement surgery generally is not regarded to be dangerous. Deaths as a result of the procedure are very unlikely to occur. However, complications can arise if the patient has been suffering from a medical illness prior to the hip replacement surgery. For example if the person has heart problems. A blood clot can form during the hip replacement surgery. And if this clot goes straight up to the heart then it can result in a heart attack. Fat from the thigh bones can also form a clot and go up to the lungs. This can prove to be fatal. The probability of this risk increases with age. Also once the hip replacement surgery has been performed you can live as active a life as before. If you do then it can be dangerous and results in great pain. This is because the implant would be subject to wear and tear and will have to be replaced again. Wearing out of an implant depends on the weight of an individual. Individuals with a heavier build put greater pressure on the hip implant. If you are planning on going for a hip replacement surgery you must also be aware of the post-operative problems that may arise. The surgery can lead to infections and vein thrombosis which can prove to be life threatening.
Tips and comments
However, thousands of people take the decision of going through this medical procedure each year. Many of them start leading a normal life. These individuals make sure they receive proper care and medical attention both at home and hospital in the post operative period.
