Hip Surgery

Every year, thousands of clients that are uninsured, under-insured or self-insured turn to North American Surgery Inc. to have their surgeries performed close to home at or below the cost of overseas procedures. Why travel great distances and take unnecessary risks for uninsured medical procedures such as hip surgery, hip replacements and resurfacing when affordable alternatives exist in the US? If you need hip surgery, but you are uninsured, North American Surgery can help you.

What are the benefits of hip surgery?

Your hip is what is called a “ball and socket” joint. The “ball” (called the femoral head) is covered by special surface – cartilage — which allows the joint to move smoothly and painlessly in its socket. But when the hip has been hurt by injury or disease, the cartilage degenerates and the joint surfaces become rough, resulting in pain and stiffness.

At first, the pain begins gradually and usually occurs only after higher levels of physical activity. With time, however, the pain increases and may be present even when you are at rest. Hip surgery can:

• help eliminate this pain
• improve your range of motion, and
• minimize further wear and tear on the joint.

I’ve been told I need hip surgery — why do I have to wait so long?

Sometimes doctors will urge you to postpone surgery for as long as you can, because the benefits of the surgery may last for only 10 to 15 years and then need to be repeated.

What’s the difference between hip replacement and hip resurfacing?

Total hip replacement surgery is most often recommended for people suffering from arthritis. It requires removing the top of the femur (thigh bone) and inserting a new metal stem into the bone shaft attached to a prosthetic ball joint. Sometimes, the surgeon will insert a new socket as well.

Hip resurfacing, on the other hand, means that the femur is reshaped and resurfaced. As a result, the surgeon removes less bone — meaning that the patient is more likely to be able to resume sports activities following surgery. For this reason, it’s often considered a better choice for younger or more active patients.

What other issues do I need to consider?

Hip surgery requires many decisions! The surgeon has two ways of fixing the joint – either with bone cement or by using a porous implant (without cement) designed to encourage the bone to regrow into the implant. There are also many choices for implant material – metal, ceramic and polyethylene.

Technology is changing all the time – resulting in more hip surgery options than ever before. Your surgeon will be able to discuss all your choices with you, helping you make the best possible decision for you.

What are the risks of hip surgery?

All surgeries carry some risk, including but not limited to the risk of anesthesia, bleeding, infection and blood clots. Potential complications relating specifically to hip replacement surgery include a slight dissimilarity in length of the operated leg, dislocation of the hip, a decreased range of motion, wear or loosening of the prosthesis and problems with bonding. Your surgeon is the best person to assess your risks with you and discuss how to minimize them.

What happens after the surgery?

To decrease the risk of clotting, special compression stockings (known as T.E.D. stockings) will be placed on your legs after surgery and will remain on, day and night, during your hospital stay (you may be advised to keep these on for several months following the surgery.). You will also be encouraged to do bed exercises.

Usually, by around the second day after surgery, you will meet with a physiotherapist and begin using a walker or crutches. Your hospital stay is likely to be in the 4 to 6 day range.

How long will it take me to recover from hip surgery?

After you return home, you will need to use the crutches or a walker full-time for at least two months. In the short term, you will be instructed not to sit at a 90 degree angle, which means you will not be able to drive or sit up straight in a chair. You will also be asked to avoid crossing your legs, leaning forward, or twisting from the waist. Some special equipment will help make your recovery easier. This includes such items as a reacher, which allows you to pick up things from the ground without bending, a sock cone, to help you put on socks and a long shoehorn.

Approximately six weeks after your hip surgery, you will have a follow up visit with X-rays. At this point the doctor will likely allow you to begin increased weight bearing but you may still require crutches.

At around the third or fourth month, the doctor will evaluate you again and likely permit further weight bearing. It will be recommended that you use a cane until you can walk without a limp. When you can return to work and resume recreational activities depends on your age, the type of hip surgery, the kinds of activity you want to undertake and your recovery rate.

What to do if you are Uninsured, Under-Insured or Self-Insured

North American Surgery Inc. acts as a facilitator, bringing our clients together with private medical clinics and hospitals that can provide the needed services and/or procedures in a timely manner and at affordable prices to the uninsured. If you are uninsured and want more information about private medical care, contact North American Surgery Inc. today.