What does THA mean in PHYSIOLOGY

Total hip arthroplasty, commonly known as hip replacement, is a surgical procedure in which the damaged or diseased parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial components. The affected hip may be replaced with an artificial ball-and-socket joint, or it can be done with a resurfacing technique in which the head of the femur (thigh bone) is capped with a metal shell and the acetabulum (hip socket) is lined with metal or plastic.

Total hip arthroplasty may be recommended when non-surgical treatments have been unsuccessful in relieving pain and restoring function to the hip joint. It may be recommended for people who experience severe pain due to arthritis, fracture, deformity, or other conditions that cannot be resolved through non-surgical treatments.

During a total hip arthroplasty, you will be placed under general anesthesia while your surgeon performs the surgery. This usually takes two to three hours to complete. Your surgeon will make an incision over your hips to access your joints and replace them with prosthetic components. Once these replacements are complete, your surgeon will close the incisions and you will be taken to recovery where your progress will be monitored closely.

Recovery from total hip arthroplasty varies depending on how well you manage your postoperative care instructions and how quickly your body heals. In general, most patients are ready to return home after one week in the hospital and may take up to four weeks before they can resume their normal activities. Your doctor should advise you on when it is safe for you to begin physical therapy or exercise after surgery.

Although pain may exist after having total hip arthroplasty, it should not last longer than three months following surgery if managed properly by following postoperative instructions given by your doctor. Pain relief generally comes from medication prescribed as part of postoperative care which can help manage any residual discomfort until completely healed.

Potential risks associated with undergoing total hip arthroplasty include infection, bleeding or blood clotting issues, nerve damage in the surgical area, leg length discrepancy due to incorrect implant placement during surgery, dislocation of implants due improper implant placement during surgery as well as failure of implanted components over time due to wear or loosening of implants due to movement around them over time.

Mobility generally begins within days of completing surgery but it may take several months before normal range of motion is achieved depending on individual factors such as age and overall health at time of procedure.Physical therapy typically begins while still healing in hospital then progress at home as advised by physician for continued strengthening of muscles around hips.