Hip replacement – also known as hip arthroplasty – involves surgery in which your orthopedic specialist removes the damaged sections of your hip joint and replaces them with prosthetic parts made of metal, ceramic or hard plastic. Prostheses can help reduce pain and improve your ability to function.
One of the most common reasons for needing hip replacement is that your hip joint has become damaged due to arthritis. Osteoarthritis (also known as wear-and-tear arthritis), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation caused by an overactive immune system) and osteocrosis (inadequate blood supply to the ball portion of your hip joint causing deformity or joint collapse) are all potential reasons for needing a hip replacement.
If hip pain is interfering with your daily activities – including walking, rising from a sitting position and sleeping – and if more conservative remedies such as pain medication have not been effective, your specialist may recommend replacing one or both hip joints.
Which treatment alternative your orthopedic specialist ultimately suggests will depend upon your unique situation and the extent of your affliction.
Options for hip replacement procedures are continuing to evolve, with less invasive techniques emerging that may reduce recovery time and pain. One of these procedures, known as ceramic hip resurfacing, is being performed on younger patients with active lifestyles. Unlike total hip replacement, in hip resurfacing the specialist only removes the diseased cartilage within the hip joint (rather than the entire joint) and resurfaces the existing joint. This approach is less invasive, requires less recuperation time and normally leaves the patient with greater mobility after surgery.
Your orthopedic specialist can examine you to see which hip replacement option makes sense.
For more information and to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists to learn your options for recovery, contact us today.
Signature Medical Group’s practitioners are board-certified orthopedic surgeons whose expertise, experience and leadership in their profession translate into exceptional medical care and treatment for you.
Signature Orthopedics. The way orthopedic care is meant to be.