A hip replacement is a surgical operation that replaces the damaged, diseased, or worn-out ball and socket joint with a prosthetic hip joint. Hip replacements have undergone many changes over time and around the world.
From primitive wooden devices to modern high-tech implants, hip replacements have grown from simply replacing one part of the body to providing medical treatment for chronic pain or disability.
The first hip replacement was created in France in the 1840s by surgeon Joseph Guillaud. This joint was made of wood but was successful enough that people quickly began making replacement joints from other materials.
Over the next century, hip replacements continued to be developed and improved. Early devices were almost always made of metal or wood and often were very complex in their design.
As the materials used for hip replacements improved, so did the methods of implants. For example, early prosthetic hips consisted of only one bone that had to fit perfectly into one socket. Modern prostheses have three separate bones that are easily placed into separate sockets with greater ease than early implants could provide.
Major Milestones On Improvements In Hip Replacement
The first modern prosthetic hip was developed in the United States. The first patent for a prosthesis was awarded to Charles Goodyear in 1844 for the vulcanized rubber. This device, called the Goodyear Hip, was the first artificial hip that successfully worked without falling apart or causing massive pain, as previous devices did.
Hip replacement became more popular over the next two decades as it continued to get better and better. As the technology and materials has improved, so did the range of people who could benefit from it.
With the invention of metal-alloy hips, non-disabled people could also receive implants. Many women also received artificial hips as they gained more social rights and entered the workforce. By the year 1950, nearly 100,000 artificial hips were implanted.
The first artificial hip made using a polymer material was invented in 1968 by John Williams at Harvard University Medical School.
This device was used in 1976 due to its high cost and complicated design (it used a ball and socket system with power connection points). Over the following decades, many other versions of the polymer hip were created, increasing the number of people who could use them.
The first modern metal-alloy prosthesis was introduced in 1954 by Dr. Charles Scriver at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. This device is made from a cobalt alloy similar to steel and allows for a vital structure that works well with an internal ball and socket system.
Ways To Prevent Joint Degradation
1. Exercises
Exercise can help strengthen the leg muscles that support and stabilize the hip. While a person’s condition will determine which practices are best for them, a physical therapist can help to modify and design a personal exercise program.
A physical therapist can also recommend how often to do these exercises. Like any exercise program, it is essential to warm up before doing any of these activities and be sure to stretch afterward.
There are also some things that people with hips can do at home, such as: If your home has stairs, consider using an elevator. While this may make it easier for you to get on and off, it is essential to take the stairs instead. Consider using a ramp if a person has no stair lift or elevator in the home. Using both feet when going up and down the stairs is also best.
2. Controlling Pain
Pain while doing certain activities can be managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen (also known as Aleve). These medications can help to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Aspirin and ibuprofen can also be used for headaches and fever associated with arthritis. Naproxen can be used to help manage pain from osteoarthritis of rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Managing Your Weight
Being overweight is linked to an increased risk of hip fracture, a more severe complication caused by osteoarthritis (OA). Excess weight increases pressure on the side of the joint, which causes pain and slows motion in it.
Being overweight also puts more stress on the hip joint as the muscles will work harder to support this extra weight, causing additional damage. It is essential to talk to your healthcare provider about ways you can manage your weight.
4. Having A Healthy Diet
The food we eat has an impact on our joints and the cartilage in them. Some foods can help with cartilage repair, such as eating plenty of calcium-rich foods and fish, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
When choosing a diet plan, you must check with your healthcare provider about what diet is best for you. They will help you change your diet based on your health, nutritional needs, and lifestyle.
5. Maintaining A Healthy Advanced Age
People with a healthy advanced age seem less likely to develop hip OA. It is due to the robust immune system and fewer problems with vitamin D deficiency, which many older adults have.
However, older adults who are in good health and lead a healthy lifestyle can still develop the condition. When it is diagnosed, they need to make adjustments gradually so as not to set back their overall health.
6. Having Good Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases joint swelling as it causes extra fluid accumulation in your body and makes your heart work harder than usual. It is essential to maintain healthy blood pressure.
7. Wearing A Hip Brace
Wearing a brace can help to even out the stresses on the joint while still allowing the hip to move a small amount. These braces are sometimes used after surgery or injury to help speed up recovery and prevent further damage. While many people like to wear them during exercise, they should only be worn by someone who is cleared by their physician first.
8. Having An Active Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle will help not only to prevent OA but also to promote rehabilitation. Many studies have found that more physically active people are less likely to develop joint problems. In addition, a physically active lifestyle can help stop rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other conditions that make you more likely to develop hip OA.
9. Getting A Full Range of Motion
A full range of motion is when the joint can rotate and flex, which lets it move in all directions. Getting all your joints to move as smoothly as possible can help you avoid pain, injury, and future damage.
For example, tight muscles in the chest or hip can affect how your hip moves, so it is important to stretch them often. Your doctor may also prescribe stretching exercises you can do at home for the hip or other joints.
Osteoarthritis is a common condition that many people with hip OA face. While it can be painful, it does not have to be serious. By following the information provided in this article and consulting with your doctor, you can stay ahead of the game and ensure that you are well-informed on how to best deal with your condition.
Prevention is better than cure, but once osteoarthritis has developed, there are things you can do to help heal it and prevent further damage. These strategies will help improve the condition of your hip while also keeping you pain-free from day-to-day activities and help you avoid visiting an orthopedic surgeon.
