Hip Replacement

Why would I need a hip replacement?

The hip is one of the most important and complex joints in your body. It's used daily and is vital to performing daily tasks and to many activities that you may enjoy. However, the joint can very easily become damaged in a variety of ways. An injury may not heal properly, a chronic illness may cause degeneration, or simple wear and tear can cause pain.

Hip replacement surgery is an option for people with hip pain. The hip replacement has many benefits, including resolving pain, increased strength, and improving quality of life. It is a very common surgery and many good prostheses are available to use in these surgeries. Your doctor may replace all or part of your natural hip.

How do I know if I need my hip replaced?

Your doctor will use many approaches to determine whether a total hip replacement is appropriate for you. He or she will ask about your symptoms: what are they and how long they have been going on, and how severe they are. X-rays and possibly an MRI will be taken to show if your hip symptoms are caused by degeneration in the joint. Failure to respond to conservative treatments such as therapy, injections, and medications may also indicate that a hip replacement is needed.

What should I do to prepare for surgery?

Before your surgery there are some things to consider. First, you must prepare your home to accommodate your post-op needs. Talk to your doctor about modifications to your home (e. g. handrails, a shower bench) or special tools (e. g. a reacher or sponge wand) that may be beneficial to healing. In addition to home modifications, you should have certain tests done to lessen the chances of surgical complications. Due to the risk of infection that comes with any operation, have a dental exam before surgery. Any serious dental work should be completed before your hip replacement. And if you're prone to urinary infections or have an enlarged prostate, have urine tests done to ensure you don't have any infections.

What happens after surgery?

After surgery you will have to remain in the hospital for a few days. You will experience some pain, but this should go away in a few weeks. You will also have physical therapy to help you regain strength and learn how to best use your new hip. You will begin walking the day after your surgery. Protect your new joint by being conservative with exercise, and you'll be back on your feet in no time. You should be able to resume most light daily activities within 3 to 6 weeks.

Read more:

AAOS Article About Hip Replacement

AAOS Article on Hip Osteoarthritis

Post-op Activities