Because we always aim to keep the travelling patients fully informed, in the next couple of weeks, we will be presenting useful information on the most popular procedures for patients undergoing treatment abroad. Read on about the hip prosthesis implant, how to prepare for the intervention, the actual surgery and some important points to keep in mind for postoperative care.
Hip Prosthesis Implant
Middle-aged and senior patients often suffer joint problems, chafing, swelling, and bone and joint injuries that can lead to premature failure of articular cartilage. When this happens, the joint swells, becomes painful and complicates the daily mobility. In these situations, it is necessary to replace the hip joint with artificial components of a same form (prosthesis), a surgery called arthroplasty of the hip. This operation is the standard method of treatment for arthrosis in advanced stages, rheumatoid arthritis and avascular necrosis. After the implant of a prosthesis, the patient notes a major change for the better in the quality of life through improvement or disappearance of the pain and regaining joint mobility, being able to resume active behaviour: the ability to walk and ability to perform ordinary daily activities, etc.
Preparing for the Intervention
Before surgery, you need a full examination of your health status. You will undergo a variety of tests, such as cardiology consultations, X-Rays, blood tests, etc. The full list of documents and necessary medical tests will be provided.
It is important to tell the orthopaedic doctor what medicine you regularly take. Also, before surgery, a dental evaluation and a urological evaluation are useful in order to detect possible infections in the body.
Anaesthesia
The type of anaesthetic is decided in every case by the anaesthesiologist after the patient’s clinical and paraclinical evaluation. If there are no major counter indications (especially cardiovascular diseases), epidural analgesia combined with general anaesthesia are routinely used. Epidural analgesia is continued 2-3 days after the surgery to relieve pain and allow early mobilization of the patient. The advantages of this method are:
• lack of pain (as controlled 24 of 24 hours)
• maintain a constant blood pressure
• minimize bleeding
• rapid wound healing without lesion haematomas
• minimize the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism
• minimize the administration of analgesics
• allows early mobilization without prosthetic limb pain (2 hours after surgery)
• minimize anesthetic side effects (sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension,intestinal paresis, bladder globe)
Hospitalization
Hospitalization period varies from one patient to another and from one type of prosthesis to another; generally it is between 7 and 10 days. During hospitalization medications to control pain, prevent infections and vascular complications will be administered. Also, under medical supervision, you will have different exercises for the recovery of the joint prosthesis, to resume walking as well as other activities.
The Surgery
The surgery usually lasts an average of 40 minutes; during the surgery portions of bone with cartilage damage are removed, being replaced with prosthetic components, made of metal, plastic or ceramic material. The orthopaedic doctor chooses the type of prosthesis suitable for you and gives you all the details necessary to understand the procedure you will be subject to.
In order for the operating surgeon to form an opinion about a case, it is necessary for each patient to fill in a medical history form. Also, it is advisable to send a recent X-Ray of the hip or to mention if this surgery has been recommended by an orthopedic surgeon.
If you need any more information, feel free to drop us a line using the “Get a Free Quote” Form on our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Qdays – Quality Medical Holidays.
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