Hip Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition in which the articular cartilage that covers the joint surface is damaged or worn out causing pain and inflammation.

Some of the causes of arthritis include:

Advancing age
Congenital or developmental hip diseases
Weight issues
Previous history of hip injury or fracture
Increased stress on hip because of overuse

Symptoms of Arthritis of the Hip

Patients with arthritis experience pain, stiffness, and loss of movement. This is due to:

Progressive wearing of articular cartilage,
Narrowing of the joint space, and
The possibility of bone spurs or excessive bone growth around the edges of the hip joint.

Diagnosis of Hip Arthritis

The diagnosis is made by

taking a history,
performing a medical examination, and
with the use of X-Rays and
sometimes MRI scans.

Post-operative Care Plan

With the anterior approach, you will not have to follow standard hip precautions.

As soon as you are comfortably mobile you may leave the hospital for home or a rehab facility. This can take 2-4 days but is very flexible and tailored to the individual.

There are no restrictions on activities after an anterior approach hip replacement.

You are advised to:

Take medications as prescribed to relieve pain and prevent infection
Participate in physical therapy to restore hip function and strength
Eat a healthy diet to facilitate healing
Do not smoke
Contact your doctor if you observe increasing swelling or redness in the operated area.

You are free to mobilise fully weight bearing immediately after surgery. In practice, this usually means the following day.