Dorothy FarrarArtificial hip joint
An artificial hip joint can be used to replace parts or even the entire hip joint in the event of signs of wear. It is also known as an endoprosthesis.
What is an artificial hip joint?
Sometimes the wear on the hip joint can be so pronounced that the associated complaints cannot be sustainably improved by surgical measures. In such cases, there is an option to replace the worn hip with an artificial hip joint. The insertion of an artificial hip joint, also known as total hip endoprosthesis (TEP), is one of the most common surgical procedures in Germany. Every year, more than 200,000 German citizens receive an artificial hip joint.
In patients, hip replacement is necessary due to hip osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can be caused by age because there are significant changes in the articular cartilage or other joint structures over the years. These include above all the muscles, the joint capsule or the bones. In all cases, the patient suffers from severe movement restrictions and feels intense pain that negatively affects his quality of life. Conventional medical measures can no longer remedy the hip complaints. However, if the patient receives an artificial hip joint, this has a positive effect on his walking skills, so that he can participate more actively in everyday life again.
Applications
Typical areas of application of the artificial hip joint:
- Movement restrictions
- Malformations on the hip
- Joint deformations
An artificial hip joint is only used if the functions of the hip are severely impaired or the affected person suffers from chronic pain. Originators of the complaints can be osteoarthritis, overload, malformations of the hip, inflammation or injury. If the wear on the hip is caused by a degenerative change in the joint, doctors speak of coxarthrosis. In some cases, this is also triggered by other diseases such as circulatory disorders. The insertion of an artificial hip joint is considered particularly useful in the event of inflammatory changes. Thus, destruction of the structures of the joint is sometimes possible if bacteria are introduced via the bloodstream or a rheumatic disease is present.
But congenital malformations also cause joint deformities and chronic incorrect loading in some people. As a result, the hip joint loses freedom of movement and causes pain over time, even at rest. Obesity also poses a risk of chronic overload. In older people, accidents that entail, for example, a femoral neck fracture, may make it necessary to insert an artificial hip joint.
What methods and procedures are there?
Physicians distinguish between a cementless and a cemented prosthesis in a hip prosthesis. The cementless prosthesis can be fixed within the body’s own bone. For this purpose, the artificial acetabulum and the shaft of the prosthesis are screwed or jammed in the bone by the surgeon. Over time, the bone grows to the surface of the artificial hip joint. As a result, the bone and the endoprosthesis form a stable unit.
The material of the cementless prosthesis is composed of titanium. The artificial hip joint has an anatomical shape and can adapt to the course of the bone. Due to their longer durability, the cementless prostheses are well suited for younger people. Cemented prostheses have a fast-setting cement. The joint socket and shaft are cemented by the doctor. This procedure creates a connection with the bone. Another variant is the hybrid prosthesis. This is a combination of cemented and cementless prosthesis. While the joint socket of the prosthesis is anchored without cement, the shaft is fixed with bone cement.
What does the patient have to consider beforehand and during aftercare?
Before an artificial hip joint is used, various preliminary examinations are required. If there are diseases of the heart , circulatory system or Debates of the European Parliament , appropriate treatment is required. Because the blood loss during hip surgery is high, the patient’s own blood is sometimes donated. If the patient suffers from incorrect muscular strain, physiotherapeutic measures begin even before the procedure.
After the operation, the patient has to stay in the hospital for another one to two weeks. The physiotherapy follow-up treatment begins on the day of the operation . This includes repairing the joint and building up the muscles. Rehabilitation then takes place, which takes three to four weeks. It can be done on an outpatient basis or in a rehabilitation clinic. The patient learns how to protect his joint in everyday life. In addition, suitable sports such as Nordic walking, swimming and cycling are recommended. In order to recognize late complications in good time, regular check-ups are carried out.
Execution – How does the investigation work?
At the beginning of the implantation, the patient receives regional spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia so that he does not feel any pain during the procedure. The surgeon creates access to the hip joint through an incision in the skin at the level of the hip joint. The femoral head and the upper part of the neck of the femur are removed via this. The surgeon then works on the joint socket, which he inserts into the artificial hip joint.
The next step is anchoring the endoprosthesis to the bone. A cemented or cementless prosthesis or a hybrid prosthesis can be used. If it is a cemented prosthesis, it is necessary to introduce the bone cement into the femur. This is where the shaft sticks together. The femoral head can be screwed onto the shaft. A cemented or uncemented prosthesis is placed on the prepared hip socket. At the end of the operation, the joint head is inserted into the socket. The doctor also tests the mobility of the new joint. Finally, he sews up the skin, muscles and joint capsule.
Self-service or health insurance – who bears the costs?
If there is a medical need to insert an artificial hip joint, the costs of the operation are covered by the statutory health insurance companies.
Risks, complications and side effects
The insertion of an artificial hip joint is associated with the usual surgical risks. These include Thrombosis (blood clots), blood loss or infections . But the endoprosthesis itself also harbors various risks. This can lead to an allergic reaction , a loosening of the prosthesis, a difference in leg length , calcification in the joint or a fracture in the shaft of the femur. Sometimes there is a risk that the hip joint will pop out again. However, such problems after hip surgery are very rare. On average, they occur in one out of every hundred surgeries.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.