Total Hip Replacement Baltimore MD

Orthopedic surgery is an area that has undergone a lot of changes over the last few decades.  The capacity to completely replace certain parts of the body, such as the hip joint, is one of the many wonderful advances.  In the days before it was possible to have a total hip replacement Baltimore MD,  individuals with broken or otherwise degenerated hips would face a very lengthy recovery.  Some folks never did recover very well and spent the rest of their lives disabled and in chronic pain.

Hip Replacement Surgery Baltimore

Hip replacement surgery was first performed in 1960.  It is now common for people who have damaged hip joints due to accidental injury or bone diseases like osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis to receive a prosthetic hip joint that functions almost just like the natural one.  Hip replacement is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgeries available.  Here is what happens during the operation:

• The patient usually receives a general anesthetic so that they are not aware of anything that is happening during the surgery itself.  Some individuals who have other conditions that make it risky for them to receive a general anesthetic may get a spinal block instead.
• The surgeon makes an incision in the hip area in order to reach the joint.  The femoral head, which is the large ball at the top end of the thigh bone (the femur) is removed and the prosthetic ball is inserted into the femur, often using an adhesive product.  Alternatively, the part of the prosthetic joint that goes into the femur may be made of a porous material that will allow the bone to naturally grow into it and hold it in place.
• A part of the pelvic bone is then removed and replaced with the other part of the prosthetic hip joint, which is usually also attached with adhesive.
• The surgeon closes the incision and the patient is taken to the recover room until they are fully conscious.
• Recovery from surgery takes a bit of work and the involvement of professionals like a physical therapist.  Click here to learn more about total hip replacement Baltimore.