A hip replacement offers long-term pain relief and effectively restores physical function. In most cases, Town Center Orthopaedic Associates recommends hip replacement when conservative measures are no longer effective to manage pain, or have failed to improve your condition.

Osteoarthritis (arthritis) is the most common reason to need a hip replacement. This occurs when the cartilage in your hip joint wears away, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. While partial hip replacement is not a good solution for hip arthritis, the procedure is an option for certain hip fractures in elderly patients.

Hip replacement is also performed for other conditions, including:

• Hip dislocations
• Growth abnormalities
• Fractures
• Avascular necrosis
• Infections
• Connective tissue disorders
• Inflammation
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

There are several other conditions that can also damage the hip joint. Issues like overuse and increased stress, as well as lack of exercise, can increase your risk of hip joint damage.

Depending on your condition, your surgeon may suggest a total hip replacement. In some cases, your doctor can use minimally invasive techniques to reduce trauma and the time it takes you to recover.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision over the hip to expose the joint. The ball (femoral head) is removed and the cartilage is removed from the socket (acetabulum). The hip replacement prosthesis is then inserted.

Your implant may be constructed from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, or ceramic. After placing the components of your new hip, your doctor ensures they’re in the right position, and you’re off to recovery.

After hip replacement, your doctor prescribes pain medication to keep you comfortable during your recovery period. Most incisions are closed with sutures beneath the skin that dissolve and don’t need to be removed. Occasionally, staples or non-absorbable sutures that need to be removed are used.

Most patients start walking with physical therapy the day of surgery. Oftentimes, patients can be safely discharged on the same day as the surgery. In most cases, you can resume light activities after 3-6 weeks.

Following hip replacement surgery, physical therapy or a home exercise program provided by the surgeon in lieu of formal physical therapy is important to help restore your strength and stability. At Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, the surgeons and physical therapists work side-by-side to ensure you achieve a successful recovery.