Hip Replacement Surgery Sydney
Hip pain beyond middle age is most often caused by arthritis. Arthritis is a broad term that refers to any disorder that can affect a joint. Osteoarthritis, also referred to as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis where there is degradation of the joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis, and along with avascular necrosis, developmental hip dysplasia and post-traumatic arthritis, are also disorders that require hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement surgery, also referred to as hip arthroplasty, is designed to alleviate pain and to permit a return to your usual activities. Dr. Sew Hoy offers hip replacements Sydney residents can benefit from.
Am I A Candidate For Hip Replacement Surgery?
A hip replacement is typically performed in the greater than 50 years age group, however a hip replacement can be performed at any age notably when there has been an early developmental condition for example, developmental hip dysplasia, or a condition acquired at an early age such as Perthes’ disease.
When Is Hip Replacement Surgery Recommended?
A total hip replacement surgery is recommended when:
- There has been progressive hip pain over a prolonged period of time, including pain in bed at night.
- There has been progressive difficulty performing day to day tasks such as walking around the shops, going up and down stairs, performing household duties, with this extending also to recreational pursuits and hobbies.
- There is a deteriorating limp and sometimes a walking stick is required to assist mobility, or around the shopping centre, a shopping trolley is held to assist mobility
- Painkillers no longer control the hip pain.
- X-rays confirm hip joint degeneration.
Total Hip Replacement Surgery
The biomedically engineered components that replace the ‘ball and socket’ of the arthritic hip joint are fitted firmly to the underlying bone. The new ‘ball and socket’ components carry decades of durability.
The ‘new socket’ is composed of a biocompatible titanium alloy acetabular component into which is placed a low friction material of either polyethylene or ceramic. The decision for polyethylene versus ceramic is primarily patient age determined.
The ‘new ball’ consists of the low friction material of either ceramic or cobalt-chromium alloy that is mounted on a biocompatible titanium alloy femoral component that is inserted into the femoral canal, replacing the femoral head.
Why Choose Dr. Robert Sew Hoy?
Dr Robert Sew Hoy is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with the main focus of restoring life activities for those with hip and knee arthritis. He has nearly 20 years of experience in hip and knee replacement.
Dr Robert Sew Hoy uses current technologies to individualise treatment plans.The details of the two Sydney clinics are:
- Northern Beaches Hospital
Suite 20, Level 7, 105 Frenchs Forest Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 - The Mater Clinic
Suite 1.15, 3-9 Gillies Street, Wollstonecraft, NSW 2065
Do you have hip arthritis pain and are considering hip replacement surgery? Please contact Dr Robert Sew Hoy to arrange a consultation.
FAQs
Some of the most common questions regarding hip replacements are answered below:
Clinical protocols and pathways are followed that have been designed to reduce risk, but risk cannot unfortunately be reduced to zero. Risks include infection of the components, and blood clots (termed venous thromboembolism), and this is despite administering medications to prevent infection and to prevent blood clots.
Other risks include fracture at the time of surgery, component dislocation, numbness around the surgical incision, and ending up with a difference in leg lengths of a few millimetres but this is usually not discernible. The anterior approach total hip replacement surgical technique has less risk of dislocation and less risk of repeat surgery for component infection compared with the posterior and lateral approaches.
Most patients will go home after 3-5 days in hospital but, for patients in their mid-70s and above, this may depend on whether there is someone home with them and whether there are only a couple of pre-existing medical conditions, or many pre-existing medical conditions. Prior to going home, patients need to prove their reasonable independence with regards to personal care, namely toileting, showering, dressing, walking safely with walking aids, and managing stairs.
In addition, patients will have their pain medications optimised, and will continue their physical therapy exercises started in hospital to facilitate hip mobility and return of function.
Fitness to drive takes about 1 month and is not dependent on whether it has been a right or left anterior total hip replacement, or whether it is an automatic or manual car. Fitness to drive is based on a return to walking relatively freely including managing stairs, a return to performing usual household duties both inside and outside, when strong pain-relieving medications are no longer required, and on re-establishing the ability and confidence to function daily as per normal. Older age may delay a return to driving.
If you suffer from a knee or hip condition,
we can help you get back to life.
Pain and discomfort caused by orthopaedic conditions affect our patients negatively every day. Which is why we work so hard to provide relief for every one of our patients. Our team is highly trained in the diagnosis, treatment and management of all musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.
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