No one wants to go “under the knife,” but when joint pain becomes too much to bear, it may be time to consider joint replacement surgery. However, surgery may not always be the answer. Find out what signs indicate that you may need a hip replacement.
Causes of Hip Pain
One of the main causes of hip pain is arthritis of the hip. Signs of arthritis in the hip may not be obvious at first. Many people would expect to feel pain on the side of the hip, but in reality, many people who have hip arthritis often have pain in their groin. If you experience pain in the groin area, this may be a sign that it’s time to see a physician or get an x-ray. Additional signs of trouble include leg length discrepancy, where one leg starts to become shorter than the other, as well as a tendency to walk with your feet pointed outwards.
Alternatives to Surgery
Conservative treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications or modifying activity, are typically considered before turning to surgery. This may involve receiving physical therapy to help relieve pain.
There is no rush to receive surgery. If you have hip arthritis, you’re not doing any damage to the hip that can’t be repaired later. If you want to wait until you’re older, retired, or after a specific wedding or trip, you should be able to delay the surgery until it’s more convenient.
While there are many conservative treatments available for hip arthritis, cortisone shots — sometimes used to relieve other types of joint pain — aren’t proven to be very effective for hip arthritis. If you consider getting a cortisone shot for hip pain, try to avoid receiving it within three months prior to a hip replacement as it raises the risk of infection
Candidates for Hip Replacement
Hip replacement surgery has become a common procedure. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 400,000 hip replacements performed every year in the United States.
Most people who receive hip replacements in the U.S. are between 60 and 80 years old—when arthritis has taken hold, simply due to the natural process of aging.
However, not everyone who receives a hip replacement is over age 60. Younger people who suffer from autoimmune diseases may develop hip arthritis much earlier in life. People who experience any sort of trauma to the hip—either due to athletic endeavors or something like a motor vehicle accident—may also require earlier intervention.
What Does Recovery Look Like?
Hip replacement surgery takes about an hour to complete. In most hospitals and surgery centers, patients are up and walking the day of the procedure. Physical therapy involves climbing stairs and helping patients practice getting in and out of the car. Many patients can even return home the same day as their hip replacement.
The best therapy approach is to get back to walking and “light” daily living activities. People who have more sedentary work environments, like an office, are typically able to return to work within four to six weeks. People who do more intense work, such as construction or warehouse work, should generally wait about three months before returning to their jobs.
When it comes to exercise, people can usually resume upper-body exercises immediately post-surgery. However, they’re advised to wait at least six weeks before doing lower body exercises to prevent tendonitis around the hip.
Finding the Right Hip Replacement Surgeon
If you’re considering hip replacement surgery, select a surgeon who has plenty of experience—rather than focusing on the latest advancements in hip replacement technology.
The University of Maryland Joint Network is home to Maryland’s leading joint replacement surgeons. Located throughout the state, UM Joint Network surgeons are unique among other orthopedic surgeons for their advanced expertise in total hip and knee replacements.
Patients treated by UM Joint Network surgeons often have better outcomes compared to the national averages, including lower infection rates and faster recovery times. This means that you not only receive better care, but also get out of the hospital and back home faster.
Hear From Our Experts
Listen to Dr. Theodore Manson, an Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, an orthopedic surgeon at the UM St. Joseph Medical Center, and member of the UM Joint Network, discuss the signs that you need a hip replacement on the Live Greater Podcast.
