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Medical Encyclopedia

Hip joint replacement - series: Indications

Hip joint replacement - seriesIllustrations: Normal anatomy Indications Procedure, part 1 Procedure, part 2 Aftercare

Hip Joint replacement or Total Hip Replacement is surgery to replace all or part of the hip joint with an artificial device to restore joint movement (a prosthesis). Hip joint replacement is mostly done in older people. The operation is usually not recommended for younger people because of the strain they can put on the artificial hip.

The indications for the replacement of the hip joint include:

• hip pain that has failed to respond to conservative therapy (NSAID medication for 6 months or more)
• hip osteoarthritis or arthritis confirmed by X-ray
• inability to work, sleep, or move because of hip pain
• loose hip prosthesis
• some hip fractures
• hip joint tumors

This surgery is not recommended for:

• current hip infection
• poor skin coverage around hip
• paralysis of the quadriceps muscles
• severe disease of the blood vessels of the leg and foot (peripheral vascular disease)
• nerve disease (neuropathy) affecting the hip
• severe limiting mental dysfunction
• serious physical disease (terminal disease, such as metastatic disease)
• morbid obesity (over 300 lb.)