What happens during hip replacement surgery

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Background to Hip Replacement Surgery:
 Although a common procedure, for most patients it is still filled with anxiety. This page outlines what actually happens during the surgery.

The Actual Hip Replacement Operation

In the operating theatre, you will first be turned onto your 'good' side (ie onto the side that does not need surgery) and supports will be placed in front and back to maintain this position during the surgery. The leg to be operated upon will be cleaned with antiseptic and sterile drapes placed around your hip. The surgery is then carried out by the surgeon and one or two assistants. A scrub nurse who handles all the required instruments for the operation is also an essential member of the team. In addition, a circulating nurse is present in theatre to help. Other people who may be present on occasion in theatre can include, trainee nurses, medical and physiotherapy students and visiting surgeons.

Incision
A cut about 6-8 inches long is made through the skin on the outer aspect of the hip and upper thigh.

Soft tissue
The fat, muscles and deeper tissues are then carefully separated moving them forwards and backwards to expose the bones of the hip.

Bone work
The hip joint is then dislocated, i.e., the ball of the thigh bone is slipped out from the socket of the pelvis. The natural ball end of the bone is removed. The socket is then prepared for inserting the artificial socket by removing a thin layer of bone. The artificial socket is then implanted in one of two ways. Either your specialist will use bone cement to fix a special plastic socket into the bone of the pelvis or use a metal socket without cement. In the latter case, the socket is held in place by jamming a slightly oversized component into the bone with additional screws if necessary. A plastic liner is then inserted into the metal shell. In both these instances, the bearing surface of the socket is of plastic.

The next step in the operation is to replace the natural worn out ball also called the femoral head, with an artificial one. The femoral head is removed by cutting through with a saw and then the upper end of the thigh bone is shaped to conform to the stem of the artificial ball. A trial implant is then temporarily placed in the femur bone and the function of the hip checked. If all is satisfactory, an exact replica of the trial implant for permanent fixation is then inserted into the thigh bone. Usually bone cement is used to anchor the artificial ball into the thigh but sometimes it may be necessary to use an implant that can be inserted without cement. Once this is completed, the ball is replaced into the socket and that completes the bone work.

Finishing
The soft tissue coverings of the hip joint are then stitched layer by layer. Usually two plastic tubes are placed into the hip joint and brought out through the skin and connected to plastic drainage bottles. Bulky dressings are applied to the wound after which the patient is woken up and transferred to the bed and taken to the Recovery area. Once awake, the patient is taken to the ward.

The operation takes about 2 hours to perform. When it is finished, a bulky dressing is applied to the wound and a foam wedge (abduction pillow) placed between your legs. The wedge reduces the risk of dislocation (slippage of the ball out of the socket in the hip joint) of the hip. You will then be taken into the Recovery area.

Globe Health Tours Hip Replacement Surgery Packages to India

Globe Health Tours can facilitate a surgery visit for you at a number of hospitals in India and Thailand:

We have teams in India who manage your stay and provide you with support whenever you need it. Please contact us to find out how we can help you.