Total Hip Replacement
There are many conditions that cause hip pain, but the most common cause
of chronic hip pain is arthritis. When other treatments have failed, total
hip replacement is an effective way to regain your mobility and reduce
your pain for years to come.
Is hip replacement an option for me?
Your physician will use a physical exam, your medical history, and diagnostic
tests like X-rays to determine the cause of your hip pain. If other treatments
for your hip pain or arthritis are no longer working, hip replacement
may be an option for you. Talk to your doctor about hip replacement if:
- Pain medications are no longer helping.
- Stiffness in your hip is making it difficult to move.
- You’re no longer able to enjoy your favorite activities.
- Hip pain is affecting your ability to work.
- Your hip is affecting your ability to sleep.
What should I expect during total hip replacement?
Your care team is committed to making you feel as comfortable as possible
on the day of your surgery. We’ll walk you through each step of
the surgery prep and keep your loved ones updated on your status.
During traditional hip replacement, your surgeon will make an incision
on the hip to access the joint. He or she will first implant a rounded
piece of the artificial joint into the joint socket. Next, the top of
your thigh bone (femur) will be modified, and a piece of the artificial
joint will be placed into the femur.
Finally, your surgeon will implant a component at the top of your thigh
bone, called the femoral head, that fits into the socket. Once your artificial
hip is in place, your surgeon will close the muscles and tissues around the hip.
What are the benefits of hip replacement?
Benefits of total hip replacement may include:
- Less pain
- More mobility
- More leg strength
- Better quality of life
- Improved sleep due to less pain
- Correcting the effects of a deformity
- Aligning leg lengths
What are the risks of hip replacement?
Before your surgery, your surgeon will talk to you about both the benefits
and the risks. As with any procedure, there are risks, which may include:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Blood loss
- Nerve or blood vessel damage
- Difference in leg length
- Hip comes out of socket
- Scarring
- A break in the thigh bone or hip bone
- Residual pain
- Sensitivity around your incision
What is recovery like after hip replacement?
After your surgery, you will spend time in the recovery room, where your
care team will closely monitor your vital signs. You will have an IV in
your arm and drain tubes coming from your hip incision. When you are stable,
you’ll be moved to your hospital room.
Typically, on the day after your surgery, your drains will be removed,
and you’ll be encouraged to begin sitting up, getting out of bed,
and walking. Our team will work with you to control your pain level so
that you can begin post-op exercises and physical therapy.
Most traditional hip replacement patients stay in the hospital for five
to seven days. When it’s time to leave the hospital, your care team
will give you instructions for recovering at home.