This article is part of the Essential Guide to Hip Pain Relief.
Your hip hurts when you get our of the chair. Walking for any length of time causes pain in your hip. It is difficult to put on and tie your shoes because your hip is painful and inflexible. You are not alone! Hip pain is a very common issue for people.
Hip pain can be treated with medicine and physical therapy but sometimes that isn't enough and a doctor may recommend a hip replacement. Learn when to call the doctor, what to expect if hip replacement is in your future, and recovery tips for this common orthopedic surgery.
Hip replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can relieve your pain, increase motion, and help get you back to enjoying normal, everyday activities.
Recommendations for surgery are based on a patient's pain and its effect on their normal activities - not age. Most patients who undergo total hip replacement are age 50 to 80, but total hip replacements have been successfully performed at all ages, from young teenagers with juvenile arthritis to elderly patients with degenerative arthritis. If you are experiencing the following, it's time to talk to your doctor about hip replacement surgery:
An artificial ball-and-socket joint is inserted to make a new hip. It can be done by full open surgery or minimally invasive technique. The minimally invasive technique only requires 1 to 2 tiny incisions and special instruments. Surgery takes 60-90 minutes and the length of the hospital stay varies from 2-6 days.
It will take some time to recover from hip replacement surgery. You will receive pain medication and instructions from your doctor when you leave the hospital. Here are a few tips that can make the recovery a little easier.
Before leaving the hospital, walk as much as your doctor and nurses allow you to. Let them help you and learn how to move around with assistance so you don't try to do too much at home. Within 6 weeks, you should be able to resume normal, light activities.
The most important recovery tip is to follow your doctor's instructions. Here are a few common "dos" and "don'ts" from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:
The DOs
The DON'Ts
If you are experiencing pain in your hip from arthritis, injury, or trauma, it may be time for you to look into your recovery options. It's important that you never delay your care in fear that surgery is your only option. At Logansport Memorial Hospital, our team of orthopedic surgeons work with you to explore all treatment avenues before recommending any surgery at all -- especially a total joint replacement.
If you would like to explore your treatment options, or talk to our surgeons about having a hip replacement, call our orthopedics office at (574) 722-2663 and visit our website for additional orthopedic resources.