Because hip replacement surgery removes the damaged or worn joint and replaces it with a prosthesis to improve function, patients are likely to experience biomechanical changes postoperatively. These changes are usually for the better, but the initial adjustment period can still raise concerns, especially when temporary surgical side effects like soreness and stiffness make things feel more unusual.
Joint conditions are some of the most common sources of chronic pain and limited mobility. In fact, about 58.5 million US adults have arthritis, and 25.7 million of those individuals claim that arthritis limits their ability to perform certain activities.
The first recorded attempt at hip replacement surgery was in 1891; however, this type of surgery was not deemed entirely effective until 1962. Moreover, even the successful total hip arthroplasties from the mid-1900s yielded relatively low implant survival rates after 10 years.
For many patients, the first 24 to 72 hours after a surgery can be the most challenging part of the healing process. Pain may be the most prominent during this time, since the body is working hard to repair tissues, control inflammation, and restore function.
Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system attempts to make medically necessary surgeries affordable or sometimes free at the point of care. However, the trade-off is often long delays, especially when accessing procedures like hip replacements or knee replacements.
Many Canadians travel abroad for joint replacement surgery, often heading to places like the United States. In turn, these patients can circumvent Canada’s joint replacement wait times and get quicker access to highly specialized orthopedic care.
Minimally invasive hip replacement is a surgical technique that replaces the damaged hip joint with as few incisions as possible. By creating only one or two 3 to 6-inch incisions, surgeons are able to minimize disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissue.
Approximately 760,000 hip replacements are performed on Americans each year. The procedure is incredibly popular due to its high success rate of relieving pain and restoring mobility in people with severe joint issues caused by arthritis, injury, or degeneration.
Dr. Shane Martin
