Occasional joint pain in the hip is a common occurrence, especially among adults who lead a physically active lifestyle.
However, if your quality of life becomes increasingly diminished due to hip arthritis, injury, or other joint problems, your doctor may advise you to consider surgical options, such as a hip replacement procedure. Although we think of the hip as a large joint, it is also surrounded by many large muscles and other soft tissues that provide support, so a hip replacement operation is most successfully performed by a skilled orthopedic surgeon.
Let’s talk about some of the main reasons why a patient would be best served by having a total hip replacement surgery, the various ways in which this operation can be performed, and where you can go in the Raleigh area for world-class orthopedic treatment to finally get rid of that hip pain.
Signs You May Need Hip Replacement Surgery
Minor hip pain can be controlled with self-care measures such as rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and applying ice or heat therapy to the affected area. However, if the joint pain becomes more severe and/or chronic, you and your orthopedic doctor should discuss suitable treatment options.
If you are wondering whether hip replacement surgery may be the right option for you, consider these telltale signs:
- You have chronic and intense hip pain that cannot be helped with simple pain relievers.
- You find yourself having a lot of difficulties accomplishing normal daily activities, such as walking, getting into bed, showering, or dressing without considerable difficulty and hip pain.
- Hip pain and stiffness limit your range of motion in the joint.
- Conservative treatment – such as anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections into the hip (administered by your orthopedic doctor), and physical therapy – do not work to relieve your hip pain.
- X-rays reveal advanced arthritis or significant joint cartilage damage.
- Alternative, less-invasive surgical procedures are not likely to succeed in alleviating your pain and restoring your range of mobility.
Hip Replacement Surgery
Also known as total hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged parts of the hip joint – the ball at the top of the femur (thighbone) and the socket in the pelvis (hip bone) – with bio-grade prosthetic components. The goal of the hip replacement procedure is to enable you to resume your normal activities and exercise with considerably less pain or typically no pain at all.
There are several important details of hip replacement surgery, including the following:
- Total hip replacement involves the removal and replacement of both the ball portion of the joint as well as the socket.
- Recovery after hip replacement surgery is improved by using minimally invasive techniques during the procedure to preserve the muscles and tendons around the hip.
- Minimally invasive hip replacement also involves a smaller incision to access the hip joint by moving muscles aside, not cutting through them. This can be done with an anterior, posterior, or lateral incision.
Experienced Hip Replacement Doctor in Raleigh, NC
If you are experiencing hip pain due to hip arthritis or hip injury, Dr. Brett Gilbert is here to assess your condition, develop a diagnosis, and recommend and administer treatment that works for you.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gilbert, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (919) 788-8797 or by filling out our convenient online form now. We look forward to being your orthopedic healthcare partner!
