As the age of baby boomers rises, so does the incidence of orthopedic hip surgery. It’s estimated that over 2.5 million Americans living today have undergone orthopedic hip surgery. If you’re a candidate for orthopedic hip surgery, it can be a daunting thought – as with any surgical procedure. However, thanks to advances in technology, the success rate today is excellent!
What is orthopedic hip surgery and why might it be recommended for me?
Also known as total hip replacement (THR), orthopedic hip surgery is a procedure where an orthopedic surgeon replaces a painful, dysfunctional joint with a highly functional and long-lasting artificial joint. Orthopedic hip surgery is usually performed for serious arthritic conditions. The operation is sometimes performed for other problems such as hip fractures or aseptic necrosis (a condition in which the bone of the hip ball dies).
Circumstances vary, but generally patients are considered for total hip replacements if the pain is severe enough to restrict not only work and recreation, but also the ordinary activities of daily living – or when the pain is not relieved by arthritis (anti-inflammatory) medicine. It may also be recommended if there is significant stiffness of the hip or when X-rays reveal advanced arthritis.
If only one part of the joint is damaged or diseased, a partial hip replacement may be recommended.
What does orthopedic hip surgery involve?
Several visits to the hospital or physician’s office will likely be necessary before the day of your surgery. In most cases, you’ll be asked to donate some of your own blood for transfusion purposes, and you will also be asked to stop taking certain medications before the operation. Depending on the type of hip replacement you have (total or partial), the surgery itself can take from two to four hours. Most patients remain in hospital for three or four days after the procedure.
How long is the recovery after orthopedic hip surgery?
After the initial time in the hospital, you’ll need to have some help at home since you will not have regained mobility or full strength for several weeks – or sometimes months. Patients without help at home may need to arrange to spend some time in a care facility. Your physician will discuss the recovery period with you and will arrange for you to have a follow-up appointment after about six to eight weeks.
Orthopedic hip surgery is very successful in relieving pain and restoring movement. The chance of a hip replacement lasting 20 years is about 80 percent.
Call Plano Orthopedic today!
Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Spine Center is a full-service medical facility specializing in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries. Our practice is led by a group of 11 board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. With locations in Plano and Frisco, the physicians at Plano Orthopedic have been recognized as the Best Doctors in Dallas and Collin County by D Magazine. They have also been honored as Super Doctors in Texas Monthly, including several who are Texas Hall of Fame SuperDoctors — selected by their peers since 2003.
Our goal at Plano Orthopedic is to provide the highest quality medical care and the best possible individualized attention to patients of all ages. Simply put, Plano Orthopedics strives for excellence in healthcare service and patient outcomes. If you or a loved one has been experiencing chronic hip pain, call us a call to schedule an appointment and evaluation. It could be that orthopedic hip surgery is not required in your case. But if it is, you can rest assured that you’re in the best possible hands – at Plano Orthopedic! Contact us today!