The main evolutionary developments that made humans the dominant species were a large brain, an opposable thumb for using tools, and the ability to walk on two legs.The latter ability results from a significantly larger acetabulum to accommodate the enlarged femoral head that, together, form the human hip joint. However, injury, illness, and ageing frequently take their toll on this joint, but thanks to hip replacement surgery, this need no longer results in permanent disability.
Like the shoulder, the hip is a ball and socket joint, but it differs in that it does not share the same wide range of rotational movement. In practice, the hip joints form a flexible connection between the lower limbs and the pelvic girdle and are designed to provide stability and support the body’s weight. Unfortunately, we often ask more of these hardworking joints than we should, and sometimes surgery is the only way to repair the damage.
Some Common Signs You Might Require a Hip Replacement
To a large extent, our joints’ health depends on our lifestyle. Falls and other physical trauma incurred while playing sports or engaging in strenuous activities at work frequently result in hip injuries. Some are minor and will only require rest and a little recovery time, while others may have more long-term effects.
Specific diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, and ankylosing spondylitis, may also compromise your hip’s functionality, causing inflammation and pain. Incidentally, recent research has revealed that as well as carrying a heightened risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the incidence of osteoarthritis can be up to 50% higher among people who are significantly overweight.
Often, the first signs that something is wrong are stiffness when walking, pain when bending and moving your hip and difficulty raising your leg. Some people may also experience a clicking or popping sound or a grinding sensation when moving their hips. Initially, painkillers may offer some relief, but they are not a solution. Typically, these symptoms will continue worsening until you can no longer perform simple, everyday activities. Before that happens, you should seriously consider a hip replacement.
In such cases, joint replacement surgery, known as arthroplasty in orthopaedic circles, can be life-changing.
Progress in Hip Replacement
While the earliest attempts at joint replacement ended in failure, they also provided the insight that has since made arthroplasty the pinnacle of orthopaedic achievement. The first successful hip replacement was performed in Britain during the 1960s. Today, approximately 1,5 million people worldwide undergo this surgery every year.
The introduction of a stainless steel or titanium prosthesis to replace the femoral head and a plastic-lined metal shell to repair the acetabular socket proved to be a game-changer. Prosthetic hip joints made from various combinations of metal, plastic and ceramic now promise long-term relief from chronic pain, sleepless nights, impaired movement and a new lease on life with the help of a specialist orthopaedic surgeon.
Many South Africans choose to seek that new lease on life at a hospital in Pretoria, where a team of skilled and experienced orthopaedic specialists performs a broad range of surgical procedures, including shoulder, knee and hip replacement, daily.
