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Hip Pain? Relief Through Hip Replacement

April 25, 2023

When necessary, hip replacement surgery can have a profound impact on the betterment of your lifestyle, allowing you to live your life to its full range of motion. As we age, we start to feel aches and pains that didn’t affect us before - so how do we know when it is time to look into surgical options to help relieve pain? 

 

Signs you Would Benefit from a Hip Replacement 

Arthritis 
Pain caused by severe arthritis is the primary indication that a hip replacement is needed. Tests can indicate if there is cartilage damage caused by inflammation, leading to destruction and deconstruction of the joint. 

Pain
If you are feeling significant chronic pain between your hip and knee, a hip replacement may be your best option. If this pain does not go away with the use of painkillers, rest, or more conservative treatments it is time to reach out to a member of our surgical team. 

Inability to do Normal Tasks
How much is your life affected by the joint? Even if you can manage pain, when disability and stiffness stops you from doing routine tasks like walking normal distances, bearing weight on one leg, or putting socks and shoes on, it is time to consider a joint replacement. 

 

Last Resort
If you have been postponing surgery, another reason to opt for a hip replacement is when all other options are no longer helping. If you are noticing negative side effects from hip pain medications or if more conservative procedures are unlikely to relieve pain, surgery is the next step. 

 

What is a Hip Replacement? 
 

A Brief Anatomy
The makeup of a normal hip is a ball and socket joint. The socket is a cup shaped bone on the pelvis with the ball located at the head of the femur. 

 

 

The Procedure
As an overview, hip replacement is a surgery where damaged hip tissue is replaced with artificial implants or prosthetics. At Orthopaedic Associates, we perform direct anterior hip replacement procedures (accessing the hip joint from the front of the body). During the surgery, patients receive either general anesthesia or an epidural to relieve pain or numb sensation. 

Our surgeon then removes the damaged ball and replaces it with a prosthesis, or an artificial joint. The prosthesis is a metal or ceramic ball attached to a metal stem. A canal is made in the femur bone, allowing the metal stem to be inserted. A metal alloy socket with a polyurethane liner is then placed into the pelvis  to replace the socket. The procedure can take 2 - 4 hours to complete. 

Our team has the capability to perform this procedure through a classic surgery or with the use of Mako SmartRobotics technology. Your surgeon will work with you to decide which is the best option for your health. 

 

Recovery
Recovery after surgery depends on multiple factors. Your previous level of activity before the procedure, how your body responds to the procedure, and your level of activity after the replacement all contribute. Age, nutrition, and whether complications occur during or after surgery can also be factors. 

After surgery, you will also be referred to a member of our physical therapy team. They will perform an evaluation of your level of function, strength, and range of motion. Based on the evaluation, the therapist will develop exercises and other treatments to help you reach your goals of increased function and decreased pain.

Physical therapy rehabilitation after a total hip replacement usually lasts for 4-8 weeks. Your physical therapist will also help you determine when it is safe for you to start walking without using an assistive device, such as a walker or a cane.

The majority of patients walk assisted with a walker for 2-3 weeks, later moving with a cane until they are stable enough to walk independently. 

Common and normal recovery signs include bruising around the hip as well as down the entire leg. Bruising can look deep and dark. It might also look yellow or green in color. This bruising can develop as late as 3-5 days after surgery and will resolve with time. There can also be swelling of the hip and knee, lasting for up to 3-4 months after surgery. Patients usually report little to no pain around the 2-6 week post-op mark. 

With a direct anterior hip replacement, patients typically see shorter healing times, less pain, and fewer limitations on post-surgery activities than with other types of joint replacement surgery options. 

Reach out to our Team"
Your hips allow you to function in a wide range of activities. If you feel like hip pain or stiffness is limiting your movement and ability to live life to its fullest, request an appointment to speak to one of our physicians to see if a hip replacement is the best option for you! Contact us today: https://www.oaduluth.com/contact.php.