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If you need or are ready to have a damaged hip joint replaced, rest assured that many have gone before you. More than 2.5 people in the U.S. have done it. It’s one of the most common surgical procedures performed here in the States, so join the crowd!
If you’re a good candidate for hip replacement surgery, the office of Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is committed to providing excellent care and attention. During your consultation, you will tell us what you want accomplished. We will then evaluate your situation, answer all of your questions, and explain your options clearly and concisely.
Hip replacement is for longtime sufferers of hip pain due to arthritis (the most common reason) and an injury. It’s a nagging ache that cramps your daily style and is resistant to medications and other treatments such as physical therapy.
The surgery may seem complicated, but it’s not. The metal stem of a replacement hip sports a ceramic or metal ball that’s put into a metal cup placed in the socket of your hip joint. A ceramic or plastic liner that’s between the ball and cup helps the joint slide in. The orthopedic surgeon cements the artificial hip to the bone or he uses a hip that lets your bone attach itself to your thighbone.
You won’t know what’s going on because you’ll be under general anesthesia or tranquilized with your lower body numbed. The surgeon will make an incision on the front or side of your hip, take out the impaired parts and replace them with new pieces. The incision will be closed with staples or stitches.
You’ll get pain meds during your one or two post-op nights in the hospital. Nurses will make you move the new joint ASAP, which is crucial for recovery. A hospital physical therapist will start you on your rehab movements. You’ll do them at home or a short-term rehab center.
Your full recovery will take a few months, and it will be important to stay active. The surgeon and physical therapist will give you precise instructions on how to make your recuperation smooth and successful.
The office of Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Our staff is highly skilled and personable while helping you make informed decisions about the care that’s best for you. For more information about how we can help you, please call us to schedule an appointment.
By Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
November 30, 2023
