The hip replacement surgery It is very common today, since, in many cases, it is the definitive solution for degenerative diseases. However, before undergoing surgery of this type, it is necessary to take certain aspects into account and know certain information.
What is a hip replacement?
A hip prosthesis is an artificial piece that is placed replacing the hip joint when it presents damage and represents a limitation in the patient's daily activities. Normally, the osteoarthritis and hip breaks or fractures, are the most common reason for the implantation of a prosthesis.
Depending on which parts of the joint are damaged and, therefore, which parts are replaced, different types of hip prostheses are distinguished.
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Request diagnosisThe most used is the total hip prosthesis, which is attached to the pelvis and the femur, and has two parts articulated with each other: the femoral head and the acetabular insert. In case of hip breaks or fractures, partial prostheses are usually implanted, which are fixed to the femur, but the femoral head articulates against the pelvis.
There are also revision prostheses, which are implanted when the patient already has a hip prosthesis. These adapt to the previous prosthesis.
Hip replacement operation
The hip prosthesis operation, as explained, consists of replacing the damaged parts of the joint, and the implants are usually metallic, known as a metal-metal friction pair, since they suffer less wear than metal prostheses. -polyethylene.
In this type of surgery, local anesthesia or spinal anesthesia is usually used, that is, from the back down. It is an intervention that usually lasts between one and two hours. Two techniques can be carried out to implant the prosthesis: cementation and uncementationIn this case, the prosthesis is covered with porous materials that imitate the texture of bone.
Usually, a trial reduction is performed, that is, a temporary prosthesis is implanted during the operation to determine the size of the components needed. Once this information is known, the definitive prosthesis is implanted.
The reasons that lead to the decision to implement a hip prosthesis They are the presence of chronic pain, which limits the performance of daily activities. This option should be considered at the time when physical therapy exercises or any type of medication is not sufficient to relieve the patient's pain.
How long does a hip replacement last?
A hip prosthesis usually lasts around 20 or 25 years, as long as no complications arise that require it to be replaced. In recent years, new models have been developed, which can last longer over time.
Benefits of a hip replacement
Typically, hip prostheses are implanted in patients who have degenerative diseases that worsen over time, or patients who have fractures or bone breaks.
Generally, hip prostheses usually offer good results, which represent an improvement in the patient's quality of life, since chronic pain disappears and, therefore, the patient's mobility improves, allowing them to resume carrying out activities. of your daily life.
Hip prosthesis infection
On some occasions, the hip prosthesis suffer from bacterial infections. It is due to the existence of “super-specialized” bacteria, which settle on artificial surfaces, which the defenses do not reach effectively.
These bacteria create a layer, called biofilm, which does not allow antibiotics to reach the source of the infection, even with the use of very high doses.
Symptoms of hip prosthesis infection
When there is a hip prosthesis infection, the patient usually presents more or less intense pain in the area, accompanied by fever. In addition, the joint has a lack of mobility.
Another symptom of infection after the intervention is poor healing of the wound, which can even suppurate.
Types of hip prosthesis infection
Regarding the types of infection, the most common are acute infection, which usually manifests itself during the first month, and subacute infection, whose symptoms can appear between a month and a year after the intervention.
Also, there is late infection of hip prosthesis. This is less common, and usually occurs after having developed a previous infectious process in another part of the body.
Diagnosis of hip prosthesis infection
To diagnose a hip prosthesis infection, a multidisciplinary team of professionals is necessary. First of all, a clinical analysis is usually performed that can provide information about a possible infection.
Imaging tests are also performed, such as magnetic resonance imaging, x-rays or nuclear scans. In the diagnosis of this type of infections, laboratory cultures are important.
Treatment for hip replacement infection
Regarding the necessary treatment for a hip prosthesis infection, antibiotic treatment is usually not sufficient and an intervention is usually required, in which the focus of the infection is cured, and a cleaning of the surrounding tissues is carried out.
The operation can be carried out in one time, if the patient has had the infection for a period of less than two weeks and is in good general health. This operation allows for a faster recovery.
In cases of chronic infection, it is necessary to perform the operation in two stages: in the first intervention, the infected prosthesis is removed and a cement spacer that supplies antibiotics is placed. After two or three months, the patient undergoes a second surgery in which a new hip prosthesis is implanted.
Tips for caring for your hip replacement
When the patient has undergone a hip prosthesis procedure, it is necessary to follow certain guidelines to ensure its proper functioning and guarantee a longer duration over time. Some of these whores are:
- Washing and disinfection of the wound.
- Avoid stairs in the months after the operation.
- Wear comfortable footwear that supports the foot well.
- Sleep in a position on your back, avoiding lateral postures, in which the weight of the body falls on the hips.
- Control of body weight, to prevent the joint from having to support excessive weight.
- Importance of rehabilitation for regain mobility after a hip replacement.
- Perform exercises to strengthen and exercise the muscles of the operated area.
As explained, in hip replacement surgeries, rehabilitation and subsequent care become very important to avoid infections and extend its duration. Therefore, if symptoms are present, you should visit a doctor. hip specialist traumatologist to assess the situation.
23 thoughts on “¿Qué es una prótesis de cadera? Tratamientos y beneficios”
45 days ago I had hip replacement surgery. Yellowish fluid came out of the surgery. They did a cleaning surgery and always treated with antibiotics. It doesn't hurt, I haven't had a fever, although the liquid keeps coming out as soon as I walk a few steps. I need to know your opinion. Thank you so much
Hello Guillermo,
Surgical wound infection must be ruled out, but ideally your doctor can advise you on the evolution of the process.
A hug.
My surgery went well, but 18 months have passed but I had a very bad cold and one side of the surgery area hurts and I wonder if this flu infected me during surgery.
Yes I can walk but with some odor on the thigh from the surgery
An answer to this topic will help me, thank you
Hello Beatriz, with this data we cannot give you a diagnosis. Please visit the doctor who operated on you or an emergency hospital to examine you in person. All the best.
A 68-year-old man underwent hip surgery and after 3 months he feels discomfort with itching inside and red spots appearing, what is this due to? And how can it be solved with home remedies? all the best
Hello Pieter, we do not have "home remedies", sorry, but what we suggest is to visit a specialist in person to evaluate the situation as soon as possible. A hug.
Bonjour. J ai eut une total prothèse de la hanche gauche depuis 6 ans .et depuis quelques jour j ai mal comme avant d'être opérée est ce normal
.je mais de la glace je prend doliprane ca le calme un peut
Que doije faire .j ai 87ans
Cordially Mme pusceddu
Bonjour Madame, a douleur who réapparaît 6 ans après une prothèse de hanche n'est pas considérée comme « normale » et mérite un avis Médical, même si le Doliprane soulage. It is preferable to consult your doctor/orthopedist quickly for an examination and, if necessary, a radiograph. In attendant, ménagez l'appui, glace par périodes courtes, et évitez les anti-inflammatoires sans avis. Si fièvre, rougeur, gonflement important, impossibilité de marcher ou douleur brutale: urgency.
I had the operation 20 months ago, but while I was thinking I forgot and I doubled over to dry my legs. From then on, the surgery area hurts, I feel something pressing behind my hip and the part of my belly where the prosthesis is located is very sore. My question is, do I have to have a plaque done to see if something has become loose? When can I bend normally? What could have happened to me? Thank you
Hello Sandra,
In order to give you an answer we would need to see you in person, perform a physical examination and analyze your medical history. You can come to our specialized clinic and make an appointment at 910 053 900.
We will wait for you.
I had surgery 2 months ago and I'm already driving, this could affect my surgery.
Hello Juan Carlos,
We do not know your case, we would need to see what type of surgery it was, how it was carried out and where your rehabilitation is.
If you need any information we remain pending.
Greetings
Hello how are you good night
Can a cold or throat infection infect a 5-day-old hip replacement?
Hello Anastacio,
Not at the beginning. Although infectious conditions are complex and it is necessary to take great care after major surgery.
Greetings
What does it mean to have granulomatous tissue around the prosthesis?
Hello Leonardo
A priori it would only be inflammatory or healing tissue and it would depend on when you had surgery. In any case, to know for sure, you have to see the images in case it is ever related to infections or other processes. That is why we recommend the examination and reviewing the medical history to know what it means.
You can make your appointment by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings.
كم نسبة نجاح عملية زرع مفصل الورك الصناعي.
اي نوع من انواع مفصل الورك الصناعي افضل و احسن.
على سيرامك.
هل خلع المفصل الورك الصناعي وارد. هل الشخص يمكن ان يمارس حياته الطبيعية بعد زرع مفصل الورك الصناعي. شكرا مقدما على اجاباتكم
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته مبدئيا تغيير مفصل الحوض جراحة جد ا ناجحة والتعافي بتقنيات الحديثة سريع جدا خلال 12 ساعة المشي على الحوض من أول يوم عملية بإذن الله
Hello, I have had an infected hip prosthesis from a year ago. Are there more options than two-step surgery? I am very afraid. How am I going to move when I am discharged? Can hip orthoses be used? The doctors say they won't give me a spacer anyway, I'm obese, is this why? thanks for your help
Hello Laura,
There are many factors that can influence. To know the options we should see your medical history.
Greetings
Good evening, my husband had a hip replacement in May. Since the operation, the wound has not stopped oozing, almost two and a half months later, and it continues to ooze. Cultures have already been done and there is no bacteria. What could be the oozing? At this moment, he has a vacuum placed in the wound.
Hello, I had hip replacement surgery six and a half months ago. At first it was fine, then I started having discomfort and pain that got worse. Now I have a urinary tract infection and it's even worse. It's making it hard for me to walk, and I feel very tired and weak. I can barely sleep. I'm very scared.
I understand your concern, Milagros. Six and a half months after a hip replacement, increasing pain, inability to walk, urinary tract infection, and marked fatigue require urgent medical evaluation today to rule out complications (including prosthesis infection or inflammatory problems).
Go to the Emergency Department or contact your orthopedist/doctor immediately, especially if there is fever, chills, redness/heat in the hip, wound drainage, or sudden pain.
Meanwhile: avoid putting weight on it if it increases your pain, use walking aids, stay hydrated, and do not self-medicate with anti-inflammatories/antibiotics without a prescription.