We understand that hip pain can seriously disrupt your life. If you’re concerned about your mobility or other hip-related issues, it’s important that you visit your primary care provider.
Visiting the doctor about your pain can feel overwhelming, but we’re here for you for more than just your physical health. We will attend to you in body, mind and spirit.
Keep reading to learn more about hip pain, including joint replacement surgery and what to expect.
Signs Your Hips Need Attention
Symptoms of hip deterioration that patients might first notice are a loss of motion, such as bending over to tie shoes. Another indication of hip injury is a sharp pain in the groin area. The first step to healing is scheduling a thorough exam with an orthopedic specialist specializing in hip repair.
Hip and joint pain isn’t limited to older individuals. It’s seen in patients of all ages, even athletes. Our specialists can learn a lot from a physical exam with X-rays, allowing them to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Will I Need Surgery, or Are Other Treatments Available?
Only your doctor can determine if surgery is a good option for you, and they might offer other treatments to alleviate pain, such as cortisone injections. It’s important to note that hip replacement surgery is completely your choice. Some treatments don’t require surgery, like anti-inflammatory medications.
Depending on the severity of your condition, there may be lifestyle changes you can incorporate to alleviate your pain, such as a weight-loss program or low-impact exercises.
Another option for some patients is physical therapy. Sometimes, our muscles and joints get unaligned, and it takes the help of a trusted physical therapist to help you walk pain-free. They may also recommend heat therapy, which increases blood flow to the applied area and improves flexibility.
Who Needs Hip Replacement Surgery?
The good news about hip replacement surgery is that it’s very common. There are roughly 350,000 hip replacements in the U.S. every year. Patients are often good candidates for hip replacement surgery if they have:
- Benign tumors
- Continued chronic pain even while sitting or asleep
- Exhausted all other forms of treatment
- Hip dysplasia
- Maintained an active lifestyle
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Total hip replacement surgery does come with some risks and should be taken into consideration. Hip replacement is better tolerated than other joint replacements, and they can last a lifetime with appropriate care. It’s important that you speak with your doctor to know if surgery is the best option for you.
What Should I Expect Before and After Surgery?
Your care team will start by performing a physical exam, including some tests before your surgery. They note all your symptoms and check your pain level and range of motion.
Once your medical team recommends surgery as an effective option for treating your chronic hip pain, your primary care provider or orthopedic specialist will work with you to ensure that hip replacement surgery is safe.
The surgery typically lasts one to two hours, with an additional two hours for prep and recovery in the operating room. During hip surgery, doctors may use the direct anterior approach, which is muscle-sparing with smaller incisions, ultimately leading to a faster and easier recovery. This surgery can be life-changing for patients who have lost mobility to injury or arthritis.
Hip surgeries are typically outpatient procedures, allowing you to go home that same day. In some cases, you may need to stay overnight for your care team to examine the results.
Hip replacement surgery is extremely effective at restoring your mobility and helping you get back to the life you love. Trust our leading orthopedic experts at AdventHealth to be there for you with a compassionate spirit and pioneering surgery options dedicated to getting you back on your feet.
Will I Need Physical Therapy After Surgery?
Physical therapy after surgery is essential to recovery. In just four to eight weeks, with physical therapy, you can be back on your feet with considerably less pain. The normal healing process takes about 16 to 20 weeks, as soft tissue takes longer to heal. As for scarring, the incision is only as big as it needs to be. Special care and concern are taken to minimize scarring related to the procedure.
Live Pain-Free Again
Our hip replacement surgery experts are here to help you get moving through life comfortably again. Visit us here to learn more about our orthopedic care services, or schedule an appointment today. You deserve to feel whole.
