Your hip is one of the largest joints in your body, so when something goes wrong with it, you can experience pain, loss of mobility, and difficulty engaging in activities you once enjoyed. The good news is that a total hip replacement addresses these symptoms and restores your quality of life.
Nearly a half million Americans have hip replacement every year, which involves a surgeon removing the damaged or diseased cartilage and bone in the hip joint. They then replace them with biocompatible prosthetic components to restore function to your hip.
Knowing when to have this effective surgery isn’t always straightforward. In fact, at his private practice in Houston, Texas, one of the most common questions board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Kevin Park, MD, addresses is when it’s time to consider hip replacement surgery.
To help you understand if you’re ready, we’ve put together a list of five signs that it’s time for you to consider hip replacement surgery.
If you’ve sustained serious damage or injury to your hip, such as might occur from a car accident or serious fall, you may need hip replacement surgery to repair the joint and restore your mobility.
It’s best to talk to a surgeon, like Dr. Park, as soon as possible after the injury. Living and trying to move with a damaged joint can cause additional issues and negatively affect or prolong your recovery.
When hip pain no longer responds to pain and anti-inflammatory medications or other interventions, like physical therapy or massage, it’s a sign that surgery may be in your future.
If you’re dealing with chronic hip pain that doesn’t stop even when you’re resting, it’s time to talk to Dr. Park about hip replacement surgery.
This is especially true if your hip pain wakes or keeps you up at night and prevents you from being able to complete simple, everyday activities. A total hip replacement may be the best option for giving you relief from persistent pain.
Your hips are central to movement — even helping you stand. Hip stiffness makes it difficult to complete any physical activity, from walking to sitting to other daily movements. This can stop you from enjoying time with your loved ones.
If stiff hips are making it hard for you to get around or move your body, it’s a sign that you may need a total hip replacement. The good news is that this surgery stops joint stiffness and helps you start moving with ease again.
When you’re in near-constant pain, struggling with mobility, and unable to participate in events and activities with family and friends because of your hip joints, your quality of life diminishes. This can also make you feel irritable, sad, and even depressed or anxious.
If you’ve noticed that your quality of life and even your mental health is suffering along with your hip joints, it’s time to consult with Dr. Park about a total hip replacement.
If a health care provider tells you that X-ray images or other imaging studies show signs of severe deterioration, like cartilage loss, bone-on-bone contact, or other structural issues in your hip joints, this is another telltale sign that it’s time to consider a hip replacement.
Dr. Park evaluates your medical history, current overall health, symptoms, and the results of any imaging studies to make treatment recommendations customized to meet your needs and personal preferences.
When total hip replacement surgery is your best option, Dr. Park reviews different surgical approaches, such as posterior vs. direct anterior, and what you can expect before, during, and after your procedure.
If you recognize any of the telltale signs that it’s time to consider a total hip replacement, call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Park in Houston, Texas, to discuss your options, or request a consultation online.
