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Overview of Total Hip Replacement Surgery: |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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Total Hip Replacement (THR), or Total Hip Arthroplasty, can relieve pain ad provide the range of motion required for the patient's normal daily life. THR is primarily an option for patients older than 60 years. Total Hip Replacement is also an option for younger and active patients, but many patients who fall into this category will have to undergo another surgery after 20 years to replace the worn out artificial hip joints. Birmingham Hip Resurfacing is generally recommended for these patients. |
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Symptoms and conditions which may be treated by a Hip Replacement: |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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You may want to consider a hip replacement if you suffer from one or a few of the following symptoms: |
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Severe pain in hip joint |
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Loss of motion in hip joint |
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Pain that keeps you awake at night |
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Little or no relief from pain medications |
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Difficulty walking up or down stairs |
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Trouble standing from a seated position |
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In addition, you may benefit from a hip replacement if you have one of the following conditions: |
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Hip injuries: |
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Bone tumor: |
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Deformity of the hip joint: |
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Symptoms include diminished leg movement in the affected hip, shortening of the leg on the affected side, or asymmetry in leg positions. |
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Osteoarthritis: |
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The first and most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the hip or groin area during weight-bearing activities like walking. The cartilage degenerates and the hip loses its flexibility and strength, which may lead to the formation of bone spurs. As the condition worsens, the pain may be present all the time, even during non weight-bearing activities. |
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: |
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The primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to osteoarthritis and include pain, swelling and the loss of motion. Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite, fever, energy loss, anemia, and rheumatoid nodules (lumps of tissue under the skin). People with rheumatoid arthritis often have "flare ups" where multiple joints may be painful and stiff. |
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Avascular Necrosis: |
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The most common symptom of AVN is hip pain, especially after standing or walking. |
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The Hip |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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About Hip Replacement Surgery Overseas |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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The purpose of total hip surgery is to remove the two damaged parts of the hip joint - the hip socket (acetabulum) and the femoral head - and replace them with artificial implants made out of plastic and metal. This will help make the hip strong and flexible again.
The hip implant is comprised of four parts that work together to restore the original function of your ball-and-socket joint: |
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A metal hip stem inserted into the top of your thighbone |
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A metal cup that holds the cup liner |
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A cup liner that holds the femoral head |
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The femoral head that is attached to the hip stem and inserted into the liner to form the ball-and-socket joint |
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Hip Replacement surgery can be performed traditionally, with an 8-10 inch cut along the side of the hip, or by a more modern minimally invasive approach, which involves one or two cuts that |
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are between 2-5 inches long. The small cuts of the minimally invasive approach will lessen blood loss, ease pain after surgery, reduce scar appearance and speed healing. However, this is a highly skilled procedure that may lead to worse results than the standard procedure if something goes wrong. The majority of THRs performed use the traditional method. |
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During your hip replacement surgery, you will be given general anesthesia. A spinal anesthetic also may be given to help prevent pain. You will be able to donate your own blood before the procedure in case there is significant blood loss during surgery and you need a blood transfusion. |
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Preparing for Hip Replacement surgery abroad |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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Before your departure for your medical travel surgery, your x-rays and complete medical history will be reviewed by your orthopedic surgeon. MedTrava will set up a conference call between you and your surgeon so you can discuss your specific issues and questions. After you arrive in the country where you will receive surgery, a new set of x-rays will be taken and your doctor will conduct a thorough in-person physical examination. The doctor will also go through you medical and surgical issues with you and answer any questions you might have. You may also be asked to consult with a physical therapist to discuss recovery, hip rehabilitation and important precautions you must take after your surgery. The physical therapist may give you exercises you can begin prior to your surgery in order to aid with recovery. |
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Getting your house ready before your surgery |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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Before you leave for your hip replacement surgery overseas, it is important to get your house ready for your return from the hospital. At first it will be harder for you to move around, so arrange your furniture and household items ahead of time to make it easier for you during your rehabilitation. You will definitely want to remove any throw rugs or electrical cords that could cause you to trip, and you may want to install an elevated toilet seat or support bars in your bathroom before you leave for your medical tourism surgery. |
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Preparation for the hospital |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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Here are a few things to keep in mind as you pack and prepare for your medical tourism journey. |
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Clothing: |
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Getting dressed in the morning will help you feel better, so be sure to bring some comfortable, loose clothing to the hospital. |
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Shoes: |
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You may want to invest in a new pair of shoes to wear after your surgery. You will want to pick shoes that have a heel lower than one inch, and the shoe should be large enough to accommodate a swollen foot, as your foot may swell after surgery. |
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Day of Hip Replacement Surgery |
The anesthesiologist will see you the day prior to the surgery to review the medications and procedures that will be used during the surgery. On the day of the surgery, he will most likely administer a general anesthetic. Your vital signs will be taken, an IV will be inserted, and you will receive any necessary medications prior to the surgery. After the surgery, you will be in the recovery room for about 3 hours. When you awaken and your condition is stable, you will be moved into the wards.
On the day of the surgery, you should consume only liquids. You can progress to a normal diet the following morning. The medical team will give instructions on ankle pump exercises. |
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After Hip Replacement Surgery |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts. |
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Pain is normal for the first 48 hours following any surgery, so powerful narcotics such as Tramadol are available for this pain if you request it. If you feel comfortable, you can start walking with a walker on the first post-op day. You will be coached in doing deep breathing exercises, static quadriceps and gluteal contraction exercises.
You will be outfitted with a pair of below-knee T.E.D. stockings to prevent blood from pooling in the veins of your legs and an x-ray will be taken. Some patients will receive blood-thinning injections if necessary. On the second post-op day, you will be able to start lying on the side that has not been operated on with a pillow in-between the thighs (not the knees or legs). You can also start sitting in a chair.
You will receive an instruction booklet on exercises you should complete in bed. In addition, you will walk short distances with the help of a walker and a physiotherapist for short distances, or for longer distances if it is comfortable. You should be able to walk with elbow crutches on the fourth or fifth post-op day. |
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After discharge |
Once you can climb stairs with the help of elbow crutches, you are ready for discharge. You will be fit to travel by car sitting in the front seat. |
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During the flight: |
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Carry a bottle of water to ensure adequate intake of fluids |
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You must wear your T.E.D. stockings during the flight |
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You should request an aisle or bulkhead seat and take a few steps in the corridor every half hour |
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Do the ankle pump exercises when seated |
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Life after hip replacement surgery |
This information is provided by MedTrava, Medical Tourism experts |
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You should have a near-normal range of motion and enough strength in your hip to perform most daily activities after completing the post-op hip rehabilitation process. After hip replacement surgery, patients have successfully returned to activities like walking, driving, swimming, golf, cycling and gardening. However, you should be careful to avoid high-impact activities like running, which will decrease the life |
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Useful Links: |
www.webmd.com |
www.hipreplacement.com |
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