How to Put a Dog's Hip Back in Place
Many adults may look back fondly on their memories of youth when they could easily jump off of trees and tackle friends or siblings without a sore bone in their body. Unfortunately with age, not only is there an increase in responsibility but also in injuries. An orthopedic study done by Mayo Clinic in 2014 showed that hip and knee replacements are the most common operations performed in the United States. Roughly 2.5 million Americans have undergone total hip replacement (arthroplasty) with a higher number of women than men. If you are wondering if you need a hip replacement, here is basic information on hip replacements including information on common patients, risks and rehabilitation.
Reasons for a Hip Replacement
Those that suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, traumatic arthritis or hip fractures are often strong candidates for total hip arthroplasty. While this could happen to anyone, the most common age of patients that undergo this surgery is between 80 to 89 years old. Essentially, the surgery replaces worn out or completely damaged hip joints with a prosthesis, an artificial joint. This new hip replacement relieves symptoms that many suffer from such as pain when doing daily activities like walking, sitting or sometimes even resting due to arthritis in the hip.
As with any operation, there is a risk of complications and it is important to be aware of them before undergoing surgery. The most common risk of this surgery is hip dislocation which occurs in 3-4% of patients around six to eight weeks following the operation. Blood clots in veins in the legs can also be problematic directly after surgery as these clots can travel up to the heart, lung and even the brain. Infections after hip replacement surgery can also be a risk if the patient is not provided with appropriate antibiotics during the surgery. According to data from Medicare in 2006-2008, patients over the age of 65 have an infection rate of 1%. Other complications consist of hip stiffness due to the build-up of new scar tissue and the lack of movement, one leg being longer than the other, inflammation or stroke.
Surgery Preparation
In preparation for the hip replacement operation, contact your health insurance company to see what coverage they will provide. The surgery can cost anywhere from $30,000-45,000 for those who do not have insurance and $3,000-5,000 out-of-pocket for those who have coverage such as Medicare.
After you have a better idea of the expenses, you can schedule an appointment with your orthopedic surgeon who will discuss your medical history and current medication you are on, along with performing a physical exam to make sure you are strong enough for the surgery. They may also order blood tests, an x-ray and possibly an MRI.
During Surgery
Once you are ready for surgery, they will either give you a general anesthetic or a spinal block which will essentially numb the lower half of your body. The surgery itself takes roughly an hour and involves the surgeon making an incision six to eight inches long on the front or side of your hip. They then remove the damaged part of the joint and use hip replacement hardware made of metal, ceramic and hard plastic to replace the round ball on top of the femur. The new joint, or prosthesis, will either be kept in place with surgical cement or be attached with a fine mesh that has holes on the surface which will allow the bone to grow into and naturally attach to the prosthesis.
Post Surgery
Once the surgery is done, the journey is far from over. Patients often stay in the hospital for a few days and begin their physical therapy. Even though it may seem counterintuitive, the same day or day after surgery is the most important time to try and mobilize either by sitting up or even walking on crutches or with a walker as the increase for blood clots increases directly after surgery. The doctor may also have you wear compression stockings or inflatable air sleeves to prevent the blood from pooling in the leg veins and may choose to put you on blood thinning medication via injection or oral tablets.
Once you have returned home, hip replacement rehab and recovery will continue. Incorporate the strength and mobility exercise into part of your daily routine for the next six-12 months. Once you are completely healed, remember that it is only an artificial joint so it is best to avoid high impact sports and activities and stick to low impact ones such as golf, swimming or cycling.
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How to Put a Dog's Hip Back in Place
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