mardi 22 mars 2011

Blood Clots And Infection Are The Most Common Hip Replacement Complications

By Abegail Snow


Hip replacement surgery is the most common joint replacement medical operation, after knees, presently. The typical reason for hips to be replaced is simply because of the damage done by arthritis. The inflammation of arthritis brings about damage over time to the cartilage supporting the hip and this leads to a reduction in the cartilage. The bones begin to caress against one another, causing pain and eventual loss of use of the hip joint.

Most physicians would recommend surgery only as a last resort, because it is a quite extensive procedure. During a total hip replacement, the damaged or diseased femur is removed and a metal ball is inserted in its place. This ball is generally made of titanium and it fits into the thighbone. The socket is lined with plastic, ceramic or metal and the external surface of the brand new joint is usually metal.

Eventhough cement was used to secure the joint, now a new procedure that does not involve the use of cement is also gaining recognition. Using a porous material rather than cement enables the patient?s own bone to grow and attach itself to the implant, thereby securing it. Patients undergoing hip replacement surgery are usually placed under general anesthesia, meaning they are unconscious. Sometimes, doctors will opt to select local anesthesia, which numbs the area of the procedure and makes the patient unaware of the surgery, but they are conscious.

While more than ninety percent of all customers who go through the surgery never experience any complications, there are still chances for some people facing difficulties immediately after the surgery. The most frequent hip replacment troubles include blood clots, infection, improper fit, blood loss, hip dislocation, difference in leg length and loosening of the hip joint.

Physical therapy on the new hip joint is suggested for patients in order to prevent any complications from rising quickly. This keeps the implant adaptable and reduces the chance of infection by getting blood flowing to the area. Antibiotics are often given to further cut down the chance of infection. Exercising the legs also reduces the chance of blood clots forming. Over time, the replacement joint can release or simply wear out.




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