Posted on 16th May, 2023 at 5:36:28 AM
In adolescents and adults, Sickle cell disease is a known cause of avascular necrosis of the hip joint. Eventually leading to painful degeneration of the hip joint, necessitating a hip replacement. Until recently in Mumbai and even in India patients had access to only the conventional hip joints which provided very limited mobility to young hip replacement patients. However, the latest anatomical hip replacement surgery in thane introduced by us offer much better mobility and range of activity to adolescent and young adults.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder of the haemoglobin in RBC. RBCs that have normal Haemoglobin are disc-shaped cells that carry oxygen to the various tissue and organs of the body. In SCD patients the RBCs have a second type of haemoglobin called haemoglobin S or sickle haemoglobin. The flexible disc shape helps travel through various blood vessels without blocking the blood vessel. However, The RBCs with sickle haemoglobin have a stiffer sickle shape which at times blocks the blood vessel. This block reduces the blood flow and oxygen to that part of the body leading to degeneration of the tissues. The degeneration and death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply is called avascular necrosis (AVN).
In SCD adolescents & young adults, AVN is commonly seen in the hip joint. It starts with mild pain generally when weight-bearing activity is performed. However, over a period of time, the pain becomes more consistent and more painful. The patient needs to visit his doctor for managing the condition.
Physical therapy and exercise generally help in the initial stages and delay the impending necrosis. However, in severe cases, surgical cases decompression of the femur bone or knee replacement of the joint may be recommended. Post-surgery the range of motion of the patients becomes severely restrictive.
Anatomical hip replacement surgery provides much relief to young patients. To lead a healthy and happy lifestyle a young patient generally takes part in more activities; which requires a wider range of motion and better load-bearing capacity from his hip implant surgery to carry out normal day-to-day life. Which this new implant provides(Learn about various types of implants used in total hip replacement surgery). Unlike conventional hip implants, the anatomical hip replacement mimics the natural hip joint in terms of load bearing and movement. Hence, not only provided a better range of motion but also a longer life. Some other benefits include:
The implant has a smaller Prosthesis stem which conserves the femoral neck and acetabular side. Hence, future revision surgeries become simpler due to the availability of good bone stock. Extremely important for SCD patients who need hip replacement surgery in their early twenties.
Hence, if a Sickle cell disease patient has to undergo hip replacement surgery in Mumbai. He must definitely consider Anatomical hip replacement as a treatment option.
