Hip Replacement Surgery and its Impact on Quality of Life

Oct 22, 2024 | Articles, Blog

The first attempt to replace a malfunctioning joint with a prosthesis occurred in 1891 when a German surgeon used an ivory facsimile to replace the head of a femur damaged by tuberculosis. Although Professor Glück’s attempt may have ended in failure, it inspired other surgeons to follow in his footsteps, eventually leading to the world’s first successful hip replacement, which, during the early 1960s, was conducted by a British orthopaedic specialist named Sir John Charnley.

 

Subsequently, Charnley’s initial success has led to hip arthroplasty, the technical term for this procedure, becoming one of the most successful interventions in the history of orthopaedics. Replacing the damaged portions of a hip joint with a suitably durable artificial replica now offers relief from chronic, debilitating pain, restored mobility and a general improvement in the quality of life for tens of thousands of patients around the globe every year.

 

Hip Replacement | Surgical options

 

An Overview of Hip Replacement Surgery

 

Initially, the surgeon was required to fully expose the femoral head and the acetabular component of the hip joint to conduct the surgery. However, the invention of the arthroscope, an instrument that can be inserted into a joint to view its interior structures, provided surgeons with a less invasive alternative.

 

Whether the procedure employs open surgery or is conducted using an arthroscope and two or three additional keyhole incisions as a minimally invasive alternative, the steps in a hip replacement procedure remain the same. First, the damaged portions of the femoral head and acetabular lining are removed and replaced with bespoke prosthetic components made from biocompatible metals, plastic or ceramic.

 

The various combinations of materials used in arthroplasty include:

 

  • A metal ball and plastic socket lining

 

  • A ceramic ball and plastic lining

 

  • A ceramic ball with a ceramic socket or lining

 

In addition, there are three alternative ways to secure the prosthetic components in place:

 

  • Cemented: The prosthetic parts are attached to the healthy bone using a special glue or cement.

 

  • Uncemented: Although this technique requires a more extended recovery period, prosthetics with a porous component can fuse naturally with healthy bone tissue to create a more rigid union.

 

  • Hybrid: This technique combines a cemented femoral component with an uncemented acetabular component.

 

Who Can Benefit from a Hip Replacement

 

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has proved life-changing for millions of patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint degeneration and hip fractures. While those with traumatic hip injuries are generally operated on immediately, chronic conditions like osteoarthritis are initially treated with painkillers for as long as they remain effective. Once these fail, surgery remains the sole means to relieve the pain, restore mobility, and improve the patient’s overall quality of life.

 

Despite the risk of infection and blood clots associated with surgery in general and the even smaller risk of a prosthetic malfunction, most THA patients can expect a significant improvement in their quality of life for 15 to 20 tears or more.

 

Where to Get a Hip Replacement

 

Patients living in Gauteng or willing to travel can undergo their surgery at the Wilgers Life Hospital in Pretoria, a national and international referral centre for multiple orthopaedic procedures. If you are experiencing worsening chronic hip pain, contact us to learn more about these procedures and the life-changing benefits that await you.