Hip replacement surgery is a standard procedure used to improve mobility and reduce pain in people with hip joint damage. An estimated 450,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed yearly in the U.S. This surgery is typically recommended when other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have failed to provide relief.
Who Needs Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is usually recommended for people who experience severe pain in their hip joint, which can limit their ability to perform daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and standing up from a seated position. The pain may also occur while resting or at night, making sleeping difficult. Hip pain is usually caused by conditions that cause damage to the joint, which may require surgery to resolve.
Hip replacement surgery may be recommended for people with hip joint damage caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or a fracture. These conditions can cause the cartilage that cushions the hip joint to wear away, leading to pain and stiffness. Hip replacement surgery may be the best option when conservative treatments do not relieve hip pain and functional issues.
Types of Hip Replacement Surgery
Before recommending hip replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon will perform a physical exam and may order imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to determine the extent of the damage to the hip joint.
If hip replacement surgery is recommended, two types may be performed: total hip replacement and partial hip replacement. Total hip replacement involves replacing the entire hip joint with an artificial joint made of metal, plastic, or ceramic components. Partial hip replacement involves replacing only the damaged part of the hip joint.
The decision to perform total hip replacement versus partial hip replacement depends on the extent of the damage to the hip joint and the patient’s overall health. Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians has experienced orthopedic surgeons who specialize in total and partial hip replacement procedures and can recommend the best option for each patient.
Hip replacement surgery is a major surgery and requires a hospital stay of 2-3 days or more, depending on the patient. Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and the individual patient, but it typically takes several weeks or months to recover fully.
Physical therapy is integral to the recovery process and helps patients regain strength, flexibility, and mobility in their hip joint. Patients may also be prescribed pain medication to manage discomfort during recovery.
Hip replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can relieve pain and improve mobility in people with hip joint damage. If you are experiencing severe hip pain limiting your ability to perform daily activities, schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists to see if hip replacement surgery is right for you. Call us at Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians – we have locations nationwide with some of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country.
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