Recognizing the Benefits and Risks of Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement is a surgical technique that has become prevalent over the years as a means of treating hip joints that have sustained severe damage from an arthritic condition or injury, medical experts say. While it is also indicated for other related bone-related conditions, osteoarthritis of the hip – a degenerative condition marked by pain and swelling of the hip joint -- has reportedly become the most common ailment for which patients undergo the surgical treatment.

Government statistics shows that over 280,000 hip replacement procedures are annually carried out in the United States. Although thousands of patients undergo hip replacement surgery every year, however, some individuals still find themselves apprehensive to undergo the procedure. Health experts say that some patients, in fact, take their time to seek appropriate care and assistance until their symptoms become almost impossible to bear.    
   
Continued use of damaged hip may not only aggravate osteoarthritis-related pain, inflammation, and stiffness but may also lead to the eventual deformation of the affected joint, making it difficult for patients to perform even the simplest daily tasks. In view of this, patients are encouraged to increase conversation with their doctors about the possibility of a surgery, especially when conservative methods have already been exhausted. Read on to know more about the benefits and possible risks that may entail total hip replacement.

Advantages of Total Hip Replacement

Whether the damage may have been caused by osteoarthritis, severe trauma, hereditary deformity, or other musculoskeletal conditions, hip replacement surgery offers substantial relief from joint pain, according to medical experts. The procedure may also significantly increase flexibility and motion, allowing patients to resume their normal, day-to-day activities and improving their quality of life.

Potential Hip Replacement Surgery Risks

As were other surgical procedures or treatments, hip replacement surgery may also bear certain risks. On the other hand, medical experts note that these risks are minimal. Some of the most common complications that have been associated with total hip replacement include blood clots, nerve damage, infections, or implant-related problems, such as wear and tear, joint loosening, and dislocation. Use of hip replacement implants, particularly metal-on-metal hip devices, has also been surrounded with controversies that question the safety of these medical devices. A number of hip replacement lawsuits have also been reportedly launched by those who have had a firsthand account of the complications allegedly stemming from this type of implants.

Despite these risks, total hip replacement has been reportedly considered the safest and most reliable procedure in all of medicine. In fact, serious complications have only been found to occur in less than two percent of cases. In obtaining relief, medical experts emphasize that it is essential for patients to refrain from putting off assistance that could help them effectively improve their medical state for the long term and to weigh the benefits and risks of total hip replacement for a well-informed decision.

Continue

Running May Reduce Osteoarthritis, Hip Replacement Risk, Study Claims

Some health experts have long established the notion that repetitive, high-impact physical activities, including running, could raise a person’s risk of developing arthritic knees or hip. Such long-standing view has been attributed to repeated stress that this physically demanding exercise may cause to the weight-bearing joints in the body. On the other hand, a recently published study reveals completely different results, suggesting that running, even at longer distances, may reduce a person’s risk of osteoarthritis and the need for hip replacement surgery.

Study results were reportedly based on data collected for the National Runners Health Study and the National Walkers Health Study, which were launched by Paul Williams, an exercise scientist at Berkeley Lab’s Life Sciences Division. The analysis, which centered on the effects of running and walking to a person’s osteoarthritis and hip replacement risk, involved nearly 74,800 runners and more than 14,600 walkers who were followed for an average of seven years. In this period, 2000 runners have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Out of thousands, 250 reportedly underwent hip replacement. As many as 700 walkers, on the other hand, developed osteoarthritis and more than 100 had hip replacement surgery.

The findings, which were featured in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, further showed that participants who ran more than 1.2 miles every day have a 15 percent lower osteoarthritis risk and 35 percent reduced hip replacement risk compared to people with sedentary lifestyle. The risk reportedly remains the same even in those who ran longer distances or runners who participated in multiple marathons a year. Additionally, the study suggests that such decrease in osteoarthritis and hip replacement risk may have been partly due to the link between running and lower body mass index.

Osteoarthritis – a progressive joint disease characterized by pain and swelling at the affected joint -- has reportedly emerged as one of the leading causes of disability among older adults, health experts say. In fact, statistics shows that as many as 20 million people from the United States are enduring the debilitating symptoms of the arthritic condition. While there is no known cure for the disorder, various forms of treatments have been utilized to alleviate osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness, and inflammation among those afflicted.

Individuals with hip osteoarthritis initially receive conservative treatments, such as pain medications or physical therapy, according to medical experts. They may also be advised to engage in physical exercises that promote strength and flexibility. However, in circumstances where non-surgical treatments failed to work, patients may be asked to undergo hip replacement surgery for relief.

Continue

Study Shows Runners Have Low Osteoarthritis, Hip Replacement Risk

For years, it has been a widely held notion that individuals who engage in excessive, strenuous physical activities, such as running, are likely to develop osteoarthritis affecting the knees or the hip, medical experts say. This has been attributed to increased stress and impact that weight-bearing joints in the body may sustain from the high-impact exercise. A recent study, however, offers a different vantage point to this long-standing view, claiming that runners stand at a lower risk of developing osteoarthritis and eventually requiring hip replacement surgery for the joint disease than people who choose walking as their primary exercise.

Paul Williams, an exercise epidemiologist at Berkeley Lab’s Life Sciences Division, reportedly set out on a study that zeroed in on how running and walking may affect a person’s risk of osteoarthritis and hip replacement. The recent study involved nearly 90,000 participants, 74,752 of whom were runners, while 14,625 were walkers. After following both groups for an average of seven years, more than 2000 runners reportedly received diagnosis of osteoarthritis, while over 250 of them went through hip replacement surgery. On the other hand, nearly 700 walkers were diagnosed with the arthritic condition and more than 100 have also gone through hip replacement.

Study results reportedly suggest that volunteers who ran more than one mile each day showed a 15 percent decreased risk of osteoarthritis and 35 percent lower hip replacement risk, compared to individuals who lead a sedentary lifestyle. No significant changes have been observed even in runners who ran at higher mileages or participated in multiple marathons in a single year. While other factors may have also played a role, findings also reportedly revealed that running may have significantly contributed to low osteoarthritis and hip replacement risk due, in part, to the physical activity’s connection to lower body mass index.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder which usually results from the progressive breakdown of the protective cartilage in joints, as was described by medical journals. Also known as “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis has reportedly taken an increasing role in prevalence, affecting 20 million people from the American population alone, according to government statistics reports. Individuals who may have developed the arthritic condition particularly in the hip may experience pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, making regular, day-to-day activities difficult to perform and causing a major impact to their quality of life.

Hip replacement surgery, also referred to as total hip replacement, has been the medical recourse of most patients whose osteoarthritis in the hip has progressed, according to health experts. It is a surgical procedure that involves the removal and replacement of a severely damaged hip joint with an artificial component known as prosthesis or hip replacement implants. Medical experts point out, however, that hip replacement surgery is only recommended to patients whose symptoms of osteoarthritis have become severe that non-invasive treatments no longer suffice to provide relief.

Continue

Possible DePuy Hip Failure May Be Determined Through Blood Test

In August 2010, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the world’s leading provider of diverse healthcare products, altogether with its orthopedic division DePuy Orthopaedics, conducted a global product recall of two of its most lucrative and popular hip replacement systems, the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, online sources say. This action by the health care giant was reportedly initiated after it had been determined that more than 12 percent of these chromium-cobalt hip devices failed in less than five years. They have also been reportedly identified as a potential source of health risks, including complications from premature implant failure. In possibly preventing further damage from this adverse event, medical experts, consumer safety groups, and the United States Food and Drug Administration encourage those who have received ASR hip implants to undergo a blood test that could detect a possible DePuy hip replacement failure.

Similar to other metal-on-metal hip products on the market, the ASR hip replacement systems have been surrounded with controversies that describe their safety on a less favorable light. They have been the subject of numerous studies and thousands of adverse event reports, most of which link the ASR hips to early implant failure and complications related to metal toxicity. Health problems allegedly stemming from the ASR hip replacement systems have also drawn a series of lawsuits against DePuy and its parent company J&J.

Considered as one of the country’s most prominent product recalls, the so-called DePuy ASR hip replacement recall reportedly affects more than 93,000 implants distributed internationally, including about 37,000 units sold in the US alone, according to online media reports. Studies have also shown that these devices have been associated with failure rates greater than those of other similar hip implants on the market. Patients who may have received these implants are recommended to remain on the lookout for the following symptoms of a potentially failing implant: hip pain,swelling, joint dislocation, hip discomfort, limited mobility, or bone loss due to inflammation in the affected area.

With or without these symptoms, however, DePuy ASR hip recipients are still encouraged to submit themselves to a blood test which could analyze the levels of metallic debris that may have accumulated in the area surrounding the hip. Medical experts point out that increased levels of these particles could be an indication of a possible hip implant failure. As these minute metal particles build up, they may also be distributed through the blood, leaving hip implant recipients highly susceptible to health risks associated with metal poisoning, including persistent pain, pseudotumors, tissue death, or recurring infections. In most cases, recipients who have experienced hip implant failure have been subjected to early revision surgery to remove and replace their implants.

Continue

Three Essential Must-Know Facts About Hip Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, being the most prevalent form of arthritis, has been reportedly recognized as a leading cause of disability among adults, health experts say. In fact, government statistics shows that approximately 40 million people in the United States are enduring the symptoms associated with the debilitating joint condition. Medical journals further describe osteoarthritis as a progressive joint disease related to aging and the breakdown of cartilage at the ends of the bones and joints. Although it has been commonly reported to affect the knees, osteoarthritis may also affect the hip and other areas such as the hands or lower back.

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with hip osteoarthritis have been associated with limited range of motion, decreased flexibility, and poor quality of life among those afflicted by the joint disease, health experts say. Patients with hip osteoarthritis commonly experience persistent pain in the groin, thigh, hip, or buttocks region. As the condition progresses, the pain may also become severe, causing patients to experience more discomfort and lesser flexibility. Other symptoms of hip osteoarthritis may also include swelling or tenderness in the hip joint, a grating or grinding sensation in certain movements, and stiffness at the affected joint, especially after a long period of inactivity.

Risk Factors

As an age-related condition, osteoarthritis has been commonly reported to develop in middle-aged and elderly adults. On the other hand, younger people are not an exception to the joint disorder. People who may have sustained severe injuries from an accident or high-impact physical activities or those who may have been born with bone deformities or defective cartilage also stand at an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Although there are no clear scientific indications, osteoarthritis has been found to develop more likely in women than in men, according to medical experts. Obesity or added body weight as well as occupational repetitive stress have also been recognized as risk factors of osteoarthritis.

Treatment

While there is no known cure for osteoarthritis, medical experts cite that there are various treatments designed to alleviate pain and improve joint function in patients. Alongside lifestyle changes, doctors often recommend non-surgical treatment options, including anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers, and low-impact physical activities that promote strength, maintain mobility, and improve balance and flexibility.

Patients may also be advised to seek the assistance of a chiropractor for joint mobilization treatments and various types of therapies, including ice and heat therapy or electrotherapies. Some individuals, who wish to further delay the possibility of surgery, also often take advantage of complementary and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga.

On the other hand, patients whose symptoms of hip osteoarthritis may have failed to improve despite conventional or non-invasive treatments may be advised by their doctors to consider joint or hip replacement surgery, health experts say. It is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon removes and replaces the damaged joint with a prosthesis. While hip replacement surgery has been reportedly considered as the safest and most reliable procedure in all of medicine, some devices used in the procedure, particularly metal-on-metal implants, have been reported to fail earlier than expected, leaving patients vulnerable to serious health risks.

Continue

Understanding the Basics of Knee Replacement Surgery

Initially carried out in the 1960s, knee replacement surgery has significantly advanced its effectiveness as improved surgical instruments have been designed, newer techniques have been developed, and better understanding of the knee joint's function has been recognized, medical experts say. Also referred to as total knee replacement, knee replacement surgery has been reportedly considered in recent years as one of the most successful surgical procedures in all of medicine. It also accounts for more than 600,000 procedures carried out in the United States every year, according to government statistics reports.

Knee replacement surgery entails the removal of the shinbone, femur, and knee cap in a damaged knee joint, as was described by medical journals. The damaged joint is then replaced with artificial components commonly referred to as prosthesis or knee replacement implants. Most patients who are asked to undergo this procedure have sustained severe knee joint damage from injury or trauma, osteoarthritis, or other related bone or joint conditions.

Severe osteoarthritis of the knees has been reportedly recognized as the most common reason for which patients in the US undergo knee replacement, medical experts say. Also known as  degenerative arthritis, it is a progressive joint disease which typically occurs as a result of the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones. It is characterized by pain and stiffness in the affected joints, limiting an individual, mostly older adults, from performing normal daily tasks.  While the age-related joint disorder frequently affects the knees, osteoarthritis may also develop in the hips, neck, hands, or lower back. Other types of arthritis that have been found as common causes of knee pain include rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis, while sources of joint pain in younger patients include ankylosing spondylitis and other similar musculoskeletal conditions.

There are patients who may wish to delay the possibility of a knee replacement surgery, according to health experts. Depending on the severity of their condition, doctors initially recommend non-surgical treatment methods that may include lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or pain medications. On the other hand,  patients whose symptoms may have failed to respond to non-invasive techniques are ultimately then recommended to undergo knee replacement surgery for pain relief, better joint function, and improved quality of life.

Much like other surgical procedures or treatments, knee replacement surgery may also be accompanied by certain risks. These may include complications such as infections, blood clots, or fracture in the bone around the artificial joint. Despite this, orthopedic experts highlight that the risks are minimal and that complications only occur in about two percent of total knee replacement cases.

Continue

Study: Aspirin Effective for Clot Prevention After Hip Replacement

Patients undergoing a major orthopedic surgery, such as hip replacement, stand at an increased risk of developing blood clots at some point following the procedure, medical experts say. As means of preventing blood clot formation, surgeons or doctors usually prescribe anticoagulants or blood-thinning medications, which primarily function by reducing the blood’s ability to clot. In comparing certain anti-clotting drugs, a group of researchers reportedly found that extended use of aspirin may be a safe, effective, convenient, and even inexpensive alternative to dalteparin in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip replacement.

Medical experts highlight that VTE is one of the most commonly occurring complications following joint replacement surgery.  It is a condition characterized by the formation of blood clots within a vein, manifesting through deep vein thrombosis (DVT) -- a blood clot which predominantly forms in deep, large veins, usually of the legs or pelvis.  In some cases, DVT may lead to pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a segment of a blood clot within a deep vein breaks off from a vessel and spreads to the lungs.

Canada-based researchers, spearheaded by Dr. David R. Anderson from Dalhousie University, set out on a study to find out if aspirin would be an effective alternative to extended use of low-molecular-weight heparin. In a multicenter randomized, controlled trial involving more than 770 hip replacement patients, study participants were initially administered a low-molecular-weight heparin called dalteparin via subcutaneous injection for 10 days. Patients were then randomly divided into two groups and were assigned to daily use of dalteparin injections and aspirin placebo tablets, or placebo injections and oral for 28 days.

During the 90-day follow-up period after randomization, 0.38 percent or one out of 386 participants from the aspirin group had a VTE event, according to the study featured at rheumatologynews.com. On the other hand, a VTE event was reported to occur in 1.3 percent or five out of 400 patients from the dalteparin group. Study findings, which were published online in the June edition of Annals of Internal Medicine, reportedly suggest that aspirin is neither inferior nor superior to dalteparin in VTE prevention.  Additionally, results showed that aspirin poses lesser risk of bleeding events than dalteparin, and is also effective from a cost perspective.

Continue