Hip Surgery
Operations on the hip are among the most common surgical procedures. In Germany, more than 200,000 hip surgeries are performed every year. The reasons for this are fractures, hip dysplasia and joint damage to the hip. But when is such an operation necessary, what is the rehab like and which methods are possible? In the Clinic Bel Etage and below you will find answers to these questions.
When is hip surgery inevitable?
If the cartilage of the hip joint is worn out, pain occurs and everyday movements become a torture for the affected person. In this case, the surgical use of a hip endoprosthesis is usually no longer avoidable. The first step is to determine the degree of wear of the existing damage by means of a clinical and technically based examination. The first approach of our orthopedic specialists is always conservative treatment. However, if the damage is too extensive, surgical methods must be considered. In conclusion: If pain is present even at rest, despite adjusted medication, surgery is often the only path to a new quality of life. Our specialists in conservative orthopedic therapies, as well as experts in modern orthopedics, will take the time to advise you in detail about your individual situation.
Reasons for hip surgery
Hip pain that can no longer be treated conservatively can have many causes. The most common conditions are congenital rheumatism, genetic malformations such as hip dysplasia, or wear and tear of the hip joint caused by excessive stress. In addition, the so-called impingement syndrome (functional impairment of joint mobility due to faulty shaping of the femoral head) can cause the hip joint to be so badly affected that the insertion of a prosthesis is unavoidable.
Surgical techniques for hip problems and their procedures
But what procedures are available to patients suffering from excessive hip wear in today’s world? Usually, the required endoprosthesis is inserted with the help of a small incision under general anesthesia. With the so-called AMIS method, our surgeons are able to insert the required prosthesis without damaging the muscles. The application of this surgical therapy is of great advantage with regard to the subsequent rehabilitation of the patient. An operation performed with this application technique takes between one and a half to two and a half hours, depending on the situation at hand. The choice of the endoprosthesis used must be carefully determined and is made according to the individual consideration and characteristics of the underlying disease.
The advantages of the AMIS method at a glance:
- Protection of muscles and nerves
- Less pain after the operation
- Faster recovery
- Shorter hospital stay
- Smaller scar
- Accelerated return to everyday life
- Reduced blood loss during surgery
- Reduced risk of dislocation
- Reduced risk of limping
How long does a hip implant last?
State-of-the-art materials and years of research ensure the longevity of the implants used today. At Clinic Bel Etage, we are careful to use only high-quality prostheses from reputable manufacturers. On average, hip prostheses last between 15 and 20 years, although some patients report a significantly longer service life. The decisive factor for a prosthesis replacement is loosening of the joint heads.
What do patients need to be aware of after hip replacement surgery?
Despite the standardized procedure, a hip operation is still an effort for our body with minimal risks. For this reason, aftercare is the most important component of the therapy process, along with the right type of therapy. Physiotherapy is an essential part of the treatment from the first day after the operation in order to achieve a desirable result.
