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Home Everything you need to know about total hip replacement

Everything you need to know about total hip replacement

Total hip replacement, or arthroplasty, is a crucial surgical procedure for people suffering from osteoarthritis or other painful hip conditions. This procedure, which replaces the damaged hip joint with an artificial one, is an effective way of reducing pain, improving mobility and restoring quality of life.
When to consider a hip replacement?

Hip arthroplasty is considered when non-surgical treatment methods - drugs, physiotherapy, injections - no longer provide the necessary relief in cases of primary and secondary hip osteoarthritis, femoral neck fractures in patients under the age of 80, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteonecrosis of the head of the femur. Key indicators include:

  • Continuous and intense pain, affecting rest and sleep and significantly disrupting well-being.
  • Joint stiffness that impedes daily activities and limits independence.
  • Loss of muscle mass.
Components and functioning of the hip prosthesis

The specific morphology, age, bone quality and personal expectations of each patient are all factors that determine the choice of implant.

The hip prosthesis consists of :

  • A prosthetic head: made of metal or ceramic, it replaces the head of the femur.
  • A femoral stem: cemented or uncemented, depending on the method used to anchor it in the femoral shaft. It ensures the stability of the prosthesis in the femur.
  • An acetabular cup: cemented or uncemented, it has two surfaces, one in contact with the acetabular bone and one in contact with the prosthetic head.

The aim of this operation is to recreate a functional joint that eliminates pain while improving mobility.

Surgical procedure

Hip replacement surgery takes around 40 minutes, under general or spinal anaesthetic. The operation requires hospitalisation for an average of 3 to 4 days, depending on post-operative recovery and the medical decision of the orthopaedic surgeon,
Placement of the prosthesis requires surgical access to the joint, known as the approach. This allows the surgeon to fit the prosthesis in the best possible way. Two types of operation are available at Hôpital de La Tour: posterior and anterior surgery. Each of these methods has its advantages. The type of operation chosen depends on the surgeon's experience and recommendations.

Rehabilitation and recovery

After surgery, the physiotherapist helps the patient to walk with a cane and to go up and down stairs. The physiotherapist also advises on the correct post-surgery movements. Post-operative recovery from hip replacement can take several months, during which a specific re-education programme is essential. Most patients return to their usual activities within three to six months, with specific advice to prevent any risk of complication. On average, patients take eight weeks off work, although this may vary depending on their profession, diagnosis and type of operation. It is possible to resume driving with the authorisation of the orthopaedic surgeon, generally one month after the operation.

Physiotherapy sessions may be prescribed by the surgeon during the check-up carried out in the first month following the operation. To help recover mobility and quality of life more quickly, a series of exercises can be carried out at home one month after the operation. The aim is to improve hip function and independence.
To find out more about these exercises, download the brochure below:
Download

In addition to the standard post-operative follow-up, patients are monitored over the longer term, with check-ups at one year and then every 5 years. These checks include a clinical and radiological examination of the hips. These are used to assess patients' quality of life and monitor the condition of the prosthesis.

Benefits and risks

Expected post-operative benefits

The benefits are more or less rapid, depending on the type of surgery, recovery capacity and general state of health. Many years of THP implants have produced excellent results, including:

  • a significant reduction in joint pain
  • a significant recovery in mobility
  • a clear improvement in quality of life.

Short- and long-term clinical results are very encouraging. Surveys show that 95% of patients are satisfied, or even very satisfied, four years after the operation. The average lifespan of a prosthesis now exceeds 20 years, and can exceed 25 years in 58% of cases.

Possible post-operative complications

There are risks inherent in any surgical operation. Potential complications following hip replacement surgery are :

  • infection (in very rare cases)
  • dislocation of the prosthesis
  • fractures around the prosthesis

These complications are rare, and all specialists do their utmost to avoid them.

I am honoured to have led the development of a comprehensive clinical pathway for the treatment of osteoarthritis at Hôpital de La Tour. This pathway encompasses every stage, from pre-operative assessment through to post-operative rehabilitation, with an absolute commitment to building a trusting relationship with the patient and surgical excellence. We are deeply gratified by the positive feedback we receive from patients, demonstrating exceptional results at one, two and five years post-surgery. »
Panayiotis Christofilopoulos
Nos patients témoignent
Pascal C.
,
Pascal C.,
Glen M.
,
Glen M.,
Conclusion

Thanks to an ongoing increase in the number of operations and significant advances in materials and surgical techniques, total hip replacement is transforming the lives of those suffering from pain caused by osteoarthritis of the hip. By offering a lasting solution that significantly improves mobility and quality of life.

FAQ sur la prothèse de hanche

Questions fréquentes autour de la prothèse de hanche

À quel moment puis-je reprendre mes activités normales après une chirurgie de prothèse de hanche ?

La reprise des activités normales après une chirurgie de prothèse de hanche dépend de nombreux facteurs, y compris la rapidité de récupération, et le type d'intervention chirurgicale. En règle générale, les activités normales peuvent être reprises progressivement après quelques semaines à quelques mois, mais il est important de suivre les conseils du chirurgien.

Est-ce que la prothèse de hanche peut se déplacer ou se déloger ?

Bien que rare, il est possible que la prothèse de hanche se déplace ou se déloge. Cependant, cela est généralement évité en suivant les instructions du chirurgien concernant les activités à éviter et en prenant des précautions pour éviter les chutes ou les traumatismes sur la hanche. En cas de symptômes suspects, il est essentiel de contacter votre chirurgien qui pourra éventuellement programmer des examens complémentaires.

Est-ce que je peux pratiquer des activités sportives avec une prothèse de hanche ?

Oui, dans de nombreux cas, il est possible de pratiquer des activités sportives avec une prothèse de hanche. Cependant, il est important de consulter votre chirurgien pour des recommandations spécifiques sur les types d'activités à éviter ou privilégier en fonction de votre condition physique et de votre type de prothèse.

Comment avoir des rapports sexuels avec une prothèse de hanche ?

Il est recommandé d'être prudent durant les premiers mois suivant l'opération, le temps que la cicatrisation des tissus autour de la prothèse se produise. Une vigilance doit être portée aux mouvements luxants et aux positions sexuelles qui sollicitent la hanche. Ces derniers peuvent provoquer un déboitement de la prothèse et ne sont dont pas préconisés après l'opération.

Est-ce que la prothèse de hanche nécessite des révisions ou des remplacements ultérieurs ?

Les prothèses de hanche ne sont pas conçues pour durer indéfiniment et peuvent nécessiter des révisions ou des remplacements ultérieurs après plusieurs années, en raison de l'usure normale ou des éventuelles complications.

Quelle est la durée de vie d'une prothèse ?

La durée de vie d'une prothèse de hanche varie selon plusieurs facteurs mais elle peut durer 25 ans voir plus avec des soins appropriés et une utilisation normale.

Who should I see about these symptoms?

We recommend that you see the following health professional(s) :
Dr. med.
Panayiotis Christofilopoulos
Hip surgeon
Hôpital de La Tour

Specialties involved

Orthopedic surgery
Hip orthopedics and traumatology