Hip Replacement
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A hip replacement or hip arthroplasty is a surgical procedure in which the head of the femur (thigh bone), the acetabulum of the pelvis (hip socket) or both is replaced with prosthetic parts. If only one part of the hip joint is replaced it is considered a partial hip arthroplasty. It the ball and the socket are replaced it is considered a total hip arthroplasty or THA. To learn more about hip replacement, please watch this VIDEO.
What are the Signs of Needing a Hip Replacement?
Signs that you may need a hip replacement include severe pain in the hip or groin that does not improve, pain in the groin with crossing the legs or flexing the hip, or hip and groin pain with walking. Most of the time, a hip replacement is needed when there is hip pain due to severe osteoarthritis in the hip joint. This may cause limited range of motion and walking tolerance.
Hip Osteoarthritis and Total Hip Replacement
What is the Recovery Time for a Hip Replacement?
Most people feel more “normal” about 3 to 4 months after hip surgeries. This may vary depending on age, weight, and general health. Post-operatively, hip surgeons and therapists have protocols to limit movements which should be avoided for the first 2 to 3 months, depending on the type of hip replacement. This is to decrease the risk of complications after the surgery.
Where will the Scar be after a Hip Replacement?
Obviously, orthopedic surgeries will leave a scar. Minimally invasive hip surgeries are becoming more common but hip replacements still require a significant incision. For some people, the scar is in the side of the hip region for a posterior approach. For others, the scar is in the front of the hip for an anterior approach. The type of “approach” is determined by the surgeon but both are effective in achieving good results. The precautions after the surgery may differ depending on the approach that the surgeon chooses.
What is the Average Age for a Hip Replacement?
The majority of patients receiving hip replacements are in their late 60s to early 70s, but there are many times when a hip replacement is appropriate for younger or older people. Some folks develop early arthritis and require a hip replacement earlier in life. There are cases in which a patient may develop a vascular issue in the hip, such as avascular necrosis or AVN. This causes early degeneration of the head of the femur which may lead to an early hip replacement.
Hip Anatomy
Younger, active male patients who need a hip replacement may be appropriate for a Birmingham Hip Replacement. The Birmingham hip resurfacing procedure preserves more the body’s natural bone.
Mako Robot-Assisted Hip Surgery may also be an option for patients needing a hip replacement. The Mako procedure allows the surgeon to pre-plan the hip replacement and use a computerized robot to help guide the surgeon for accuracy based on the unique shape of each patient’s hip joint.
How Long do you have to Stay in the Hospital After a Hip Replacement?
In most cases, patients remain in the hospital overnight, then return home following a hip replacement. Hip replacement recovery time varies depending on the general health of the patient. Typically, patients will receive home health care for 2 to 3 weeks following the surgery, then progress to outpatient physical therapy. If a patient has complicating medical issues, they may receive inpatient care in a rehabilitation hospital or a skilled nursing facility for a short period before returning home. There is discussion of hip replacements becoming an outpatient procedure in the future but this is not the norm currently.
Read this article to learn about the 23 Hour Joint Replacement.
Several Approaches To Treating Hip Pain With JOI Physical Therapy
Despite hip pain being a common complaint amongst all people, there are a few easy forms of physical therapy which can help. Exercises for core strength and stability are used to treat and prevent pain in the hips. Ergonomic education is instrumental in treating hip pain, as the source of most of the pain comes from how people sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment at JOI Rehab for physical therapy, call (904) 858-7045
If you want to learn more about hip pain, Read this ARTICLE.
If you want to schedule with a Hip Orthopedic Doctor, call 904-JOI-2000, schedule online, or follow the link below.