Expectations For a Complete Periacetabular Osteotomy Recovery
Can you expect to have a complete periacetabular osteotomy recovery? For many patients, the answer is a resounding yes! This innovative procedure focuses on a painful form of hip dysplasia which happens when the ball of the hip joint is actually too small for its hip socket. The goal of this orthopedic procedure is to relieve the friction that is causing the pain to occur, thus preserving and prolonging the life of the hip joint that is affected.
To enhance your periacetabular osteotomy recovery, here are some questions you may wish to ask your orthopedic surgeon before the procedure.
1. Will I need to have a blood transfusion?
Some patients require an extensive surgery that requires a blood transfusion. You will want to ask your doctor about donating your own blood before the procedure if you are concerned about receiving the blood of someone else while undergoing surgery if a transfusion becomes necessary.
2. How long will my hospital stay be?
The periacetabular osteotomy recovery varies for individuals because of the unique circumstances regarding their hip joint. Patients that have very little cartilage damage can be discharged from the hospital in as little as three days. For more extensive procedures, a more typical hospital stay would be about 6 days. Talk with your orthopedic surgeon about the cartilage damage you may have and what is expected to be seen thanks to MRIs, CT scans, or other diagnostic procedures you may have had to aid in your diagnosis.
3. How much pain will I have?
The pain from the periacetabular osteotomy can often be intensive. For this reason, many patients are given a PCA, or a patient controled analgesic pump, which contains a narcotic for the first 48 hours of recovery. Most people can then transition to oral painkillers, which often are needed up to a month after the procedure.
4. Will I need to do physical therapy?
Most people have physical therapy prescribed during their periacetabular osteotomy recovery. For some, this can start while in the hospital recovering from the procedure. The more movement that you can maintain immediately after the procedure is completed, the less physical therapy you’ll need in the long term. That’s why range of motion is often worked on, even in basic ways, about 48 hours after procedure.
5. What kind of risks do I face?
All forms of surgery entail some risk, including an unanticipated death. Though rare, you will be required to sign a form indicating you are aware of this. In addition, infection, bone ossification, a failure to heal, nerve and arterial injuries, palsies, and deep vein thrombosis are all potential risks during your periacetabular osteotomy recovery.
For many people, however, the potential risks of this procedure are greatly outweighed by the benefits that can be received. Though the periacetabular osteotomy recovery can last up to 6 months, the long term preservation of the joint and the reduction of pain are tremendous advantages to having a good quality of life. If you’re thinking about having this procedure, ask these questions at your next appointment so that you can get the full picture of the decision you’re making.