More than 400,000 Americans undergo hip replacement surgery every year with greater than 90% of patients reporting substantial improvement in pain relief, mobility, and function following the surgery.
Of course, a hip replacement surgery shouldn’t be the first line of treatment for hip pain. Conservative treatments such as medications, injections, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications should be tried. If this approach fails to relieve symptoms, hip replacement may be considered. However, for certain conditions such as a bone deformity or joint damage due to advanced arthritis or dysplasia, delaying hip replacement can reduce the chances of a positive surgical outcome. As a bony deformity gets worse with time, it becomes harder to fix!
In the past, hip replacement was only an option for people over the age of 60, but with advances in implant technology and minimally invasive anterior approach, younger patients in their 20s or 30s with hip disorders are benefitting from hip replacement surgery. The surgery may be performed as an outpatient procedure allowing patients to recover quickly in the comfort of their own homes. It also allows patients to return to their active lifestyles. With improvement in the quality of the implants used, the risk of the implant becoming loose or wearing out is less.
In most cases, hip replacement is considered an elective procedure. Signs that indicate it might be time to consider a hip replacement procedure include significant pain with walking, standing, climbing stairs, or doing other routine activities of life. Being unable to get a good night’s sleep due to the pain, or constant pain that darkens your mood and outlook on life are also be signs that you may want to consider surgery.
If you have a hip condition that is limiting your activities, contact the NewportCare Medical Group. Our Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained physicians provide a wide range of services ranging from conservative and non-operative treatments, to advanced and minimally invasive surgical procedures.
