Total Hip Replacement: What it is and why you should consider it

Total Hip Replacement: What it is and why you should consider it 

If you’re heading toward your 50s, chances are you know someone who has had – or is considering – a total or partial hip replacement. In fact, of the more than 350,000 hip replacements performed in the U.S. each year, more than 90% of hip replacements are performed on adults over age 50. 

While you’ve likely heard about hip replacements from friends, family, or coworkers, you may want to dig a little deeper into the details about what’s really involved and when it’s time to take action. 

What is a total hip replacement?

During a total hip replacement, your surgeon will remove your hip and replace it with a prosthesis. You’ll receive regional anesthesia before your surgery. Regional anesthesia blocks pain in a large area of your body but doesn’t completely put you to sleep.  

Your surgeon will then remove bone and cartilage from your existing hip joint and replace it with the prosthesis. Prosthetic hips are usually made of metal, plastic, or ceramic.

Hip replacements usually take one to two hours. Your surgeon will tell you how long your surgery will take based on which type of hip replacement you’ll need.

What are the benefits of a hip replacement?

Hip replacements are usually very successful surgeries. Most people who have a hip replacement experience a dramatic decrease in their symptoms — especially pain and stiffness.

Once you’re fully recovered, you should have increased mobility and range of motion (how well and how far you can move your hip). A hip replacement usually makes it easier to walk, climb stairs and do other physical activities.

The prosthetic hips used in hip replacements usually last a long time. Many who’ve had a hip replacement keep the implant for the rest of their lives.

Why would I need a hip replacement?

You might be a good candidate for a hip replacement if symptoms in your hip are making it hard (or impossible) to participate in your daily routine. Surgery is typically only indicated after you’ve progressed through more conservative treatments such as medication, physical therapy, or using a cane or walker. 

One of the most common causes of hip pain and loss of mobility is arthritis. Some of the most common types of arthritis can affect your hip, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

Other health conditions and issues that can damage your hip joint enough to require a hip replacement include:

• Osteonecrosis
• Traumas like car accidents or falls
• Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAI or hip impingement)
• Hip dysplasia
• Benign tumors (neoplasms)
• Cancer
• Perthes disease

What does recovery look like?

Most hip replacements are outpatient surgeries, meaning you can go home the same day. You might need to stay in the hospital overnight (outpatient extended recovery). Everyone responds differently to hip replacement surgery, but it usually takes several months to recover after a hip replacement, including a few months of physical therapy. 

As with any surgery, there are rare but possible complications of total hip replacement surgery including infections, blood clots in your legs or lungs, bone fractures around the prosthesis, and joint stiffness.  

If you’ve been told you may require a hip replacement or if you’ve already decided to move ahead, visiting a trusted orthopaedic specialist will be key to the best possible outcomes. Since 1972, the specialists at DOC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine have been committed to providing exceptional orthopaedic care through innovative techniques, quality services, patient communication, and education. With specialties ranging from general orthopaedics and physical therapy to sports medicine, joint replacement, and more, the doctors at DOC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine can provide local expert care for any orthopaedic disorder or injury and help put your life back in motion.