Is Hip Replacement Surgery Right for Me?

“As you age, you start noticing that certain parts of your body hurt more when you wake up, walk or exercise,” said Frank R. DiMaio, MD, MBA, Chairman, Musculoskeletal Service Line at Catholic Health and Orthopaedic Surgeon at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center®. “Typically, hip arthritis presents as groin pain when you walk. Many patients go on to experience chronic groin, thigh and even referred knee pain over time, and their disability eventually affects their quality of life.”

What is hip replacement surgery?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The top of the thigh bone (femoral head) is the ball, and the acetabulum of the pelvis is considered the socket. This ball and socket structure allows the joint to rotate in many directions.

Hip replacement surgery replaces damaged portions of the hip joint with artificial surfaces made of metals and polymer (plastic). Ceramics may be substituted in younger patients. These components, called prostheses, replace the worn cartilage and restore the function of a normal hip joint.

Do I need a hip replacement?

Dr. DiMaio noted that although hip surgery is a common, highly successful procedure, surgeons will first try conservative treatment options like weight loss, physical therapy or oral medicine to reduce the pain. “When those options fail to mitigate the patient’s symptoms, and the pain persists, hip replacement surgery is a viable solution,” he said.

You will meet with an orthopedic surgeon for an examination to evaluate your range of motion and review your pertinent medical history. A series of X-rays are typically performed for clinical correlation; MRI is rarely needed.

Who is a candidate for hip replacement surgery?

“Hip replacement patients are typically between the ages of 50 and 80, but age is not the deciding factor for a patient to be a candidate for hip replacement surgery,” said Dr. DiMaio. “Orthopedic surgeons evaluate the needs of each patient individually.”

How do I know if I need hip replacement surgery?

You may need hip replacement surgery if hip pain:

Makes it difficult to walk even with assistance from a cane or walker
Makes it difficult to ascend or descend stairs
Makes it difficult to rise from a seated position
Interferes with quality of sleep
Continues despite medication and/or physical therapy

What conditions cause hip pain?

Several conditions can cause chronic hip pain, including:

Osteoarthritis. Wear and tear arthritis damages cartilage that covers the ends of bones. Cartilage absorbs shock and allows bones to glide over each other.

Osteonecrosis. Poor blood supply to the hip can cause osteonecrosis or bone death. It usually results from an injury, but it can occur without one.

Rheumatoid arthritis. An overactive immune system causes rheumatoid arthritis. It produces inflammation that erodes cartilage and, sometimes, the bone underneath.

What are the types of hip replacement surgery?

“Total hip replacement surgery is the main option your orthopedic surgeon will review with you,” said Dr. DiMaio. “Partial hip replacement is reserved for treating hip fractures in elderly, low-demand patients only.”

Total hip replacement is the most common elective hip surgery. Durable prostheses replace the damaged sections of the hip. A titanium shell is inserted, which allows for a polymer (plastic) type liner that replaces the worn surface of the socket. Surgeons use a ceramic or metal alloy ball attached to a metal stem inserted into the top of the femur.

How long does it take to recover from hip surgery?

After surgery, your doctor will review with you how to move without causing complications, including:

Walking
Sleeping
Exercising
Getting up and down from a seated position

“Most patients can resume the majority of activities of daily living within four to six weeks after surgery,” said Dr. DiMaio. “At eight weeks, most patients are nearly 90% recuperated. Most patients require 10-12 weeks of physical therapy in total. Recovery times may be longer or shorter depending on the type of surgery, age, overall health and preexisting conditions.”

What are the risks of hip replacement surgery?

“Hip replacement is a very safe surgery, but all surgeries come with some risk,” said Dr. DiMaio. “Your doctor will preoperatively discuss those risks, such as wound infection, bleeding and blood clots that may require additional treatment.”

Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms post-surgery.

Fever.
Increased pain around the incision site.
New or increased swelling or pain in the lower leg.
Swelling or redness around the incision site that does not go away after a few days.

How long does a hip replacement last?

If you are 50 years or older at the time of your hip surgery, there is an 88% chance that the replacement will outlast your life expectancy.

“Although revision surgery is less common now, younger and more physically active people may need to get the same hip revised at some point,” said Dr. DiMaio.

How can I take care of my new hip?

“Hip replacement surgery will relieve pain and improve your quality of life, but the long-term success of that surgery will depend on you taking care of your body and overall health,” said Dr. DiMaio.

Some tips include: