Understanding
Your Hip Replacement Surgery
To
understand a total hip replacement you should
first understand a little about the structure
of the hip joint. The hip joint is a ball
and socket with the ball component attached
to the top of the femur (the long bone of
the thigh). The socket is part of the pelvis.
The ball rotates in the socket to permit you
to move your leg backward, forward, sideways
and in a twisting motion.
On
the right is a picture of a healthy hip. The
cartilage covers the ends of the thighbone
and pelvis. This allows the ball to glide
easily in any direction inside the socket.
In a hip requiring Hip Replacement Surgery,
the worn cartilage no longer serves as a cushion.
As the damaged bones rub together, they become
rough, with a surface like sandpaper. This
rubbing results in pain with almost any movement
and steadily decreasing mobility.
In a total hip replacement the ball replaces
the head of the thighbone. The stem component
of the ball, which is made of a metal alloy,
is inserted into the marrow of the thighbone.
A cup made out of a durable plastic material
replaces the worn socket in the hip. The prosthesis
is held in place by either new bone growing
into it or by bone cement.
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