Hip pain and loss of function can disrupt your daily life, making even straightforward tasks like walking or standing challenging.
At our practice in Houston, Texas, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Kevin Park, MD, typically recommends surgery when joint damage significantly limits mobility and/or causes chronic hip pain that severely affects your quality of life.
Hip replacement provides relief for many patients, allowing them to regain mobility and live more comfortably. This surgery is common, with around 350,000 people undergoing it each year in the United States.
But it’s essential to understand when hip replacement is necessary, what options exist, and the role of alternatives like hip preservation surgery.
A hip replacement, or hip arthroplasty, involves replacing the hip joint’s damaged parts with an artificial implant called a prosthesis. The replaced parts are the ball of bone at the top of your thigh (femoral head) and/or the socket in your pelvis into which it fits (acetabulum).
Arthritis is the leading cause of hip deterioration that leads to replacement surgery. There are various kinds, but all cause the cartilage protecting your bones to erode, exposing raw bone that becomes rough and pitted.
Other conditions that may also necessitate hip replacement include:
Total joint replacement, where Dr. Park replaces the hip joint’s ball and socket with prosthetic components, is the most common hip joint replacement surgery. Dr. Park specializes in cutting-edge techniques like anterior hip replacement.
Partial hip replacement is a less common procedure that involves replacing only part of the hip. It’s typically reserved for specific cases like certain fractures or tumors.
Hip preservation surgery offers an alternative to joint replacement for individuals with hip pain but no severe arthritis. The surgery can reduce pain, restore comfortable movement, and enable you to continue participating in the activities you love.
It also reduces the likelihood of premature arthritis.
Hip preservation surgery is an ideal solution for younger patients with mild hip issues, offering a pathway to a more active lifestyle without resorting to a full replacement prematurely.
The most common hip preservation surgeries Dr. Park performs are:
Hip arthroscopy is a procedure during which Dr. Park uses small tools that he inserts through tiny incisions to investigate and repair joint damage. This minimally invasive technique typically involves a quicker recovery compared to more invasive surgeries.
Osteotomy realigns the hip joint to improve movement and mechanics. Although more invasive than arthroscopy, it allows patients to retain their natural joints, reduces stress on the hip, and promotes joint longevity.
Dr. Park specializes in procedures like periacetabular osteotomy for patients with hip dysplasia.
While hip replacement surgery often delivers excellent results, delaying the procedure — especially if you’re under 50 — can be advantageous. Artificial joints don’t last forever, so younger patients with replacement hips may require revision surgeries later in life.
Hip preservation surgeries aim to maintain your natural joint for as long as possible, enabling you to stay active while minimizing long-term risks. But they won’t help if your hip joint is severely damaged.
By understanding the benefits and limitations of each approach, you can reach an informed decision that prioritizes your health, mobility, and long-term well-being. Whether it’s a hip replacement or preservation surgery, the ultimate goal remains the same: to help you move freely and live without pain.
Call us today to discuss your options or schedule a consultation. We also welcome online inquiries about hip replacement and preservation surgeries via the form on our Contact Us page.
