3 Reasons to Consider Total Hip Replacement
Your hip is the second-largest weight-bearing joint in your body, following your knee. This makes it essential to care for your hips well. Depending on your situation, total hip replacement surgery may be your premier option to provide you with the best opportunity to live a pain-free and active life. Our orthopedic surgeon in Debary offers the following common causes of hip pain that are typically best treated with total hip replacement.
Degeneration caused by repetitive wear and tear
This condition happens when the cartilage between the bones of your hip joint become so severely worn that you experience pain from bones rubbing against bones. This problem causes arthritis and can become a source of constant, extensive pain. In addition, your hip joint is essential for weight-bearing and basic movement, so when its function is compromised by generation, your hip may require replacement with prosthetic parts.
A severe hip fracture
When you break the upper part of your thigh bone, it is referred to as a hip fracture. This injury type typically occurs due to a direct and forceful impact or a fall. However, patients with osteoporosis may also experience hip fractures. After your hip bone is broken initially, you have a greater risk of hip fractures in the future. Total hip replacement is often recommended in patients who have terrible first fractures or are prone to repeated breaks.
Severe arthritis
Inflammation is the primary cause of severe arthritis. Arthritic hips are typically unstable, painful, and stiff. If you experience an aching, dull pain in your groin area, outer leg, or buttocks, you probably have hip arthritis. If the condition and your pain are too severe, your best option for treatment may be total hip replacement surgery to help you get back to a more active and healthy life and relieve the pain you are experiencing.
Planning for your procedure
Deciding to have a total hip replacement surgery is a big deal. An orthopedic surgeon in Debary works with many patients yearly to offer the expertise and quality care needed to address a patient's hip issues. When an orthopedic surgeon performs your hip surgery, you can reap the following benefits:
- Comprehensive, high-quality care you deserve
- The confidence that comes from positive, proven outcomes
- An unrivaled commitment to research
- The latest advances in surgical techniques and diagnostic tools
- Access to a hip procedure specialist
Hip replacement recovery
After a hip replacement, some initial pain and swelling at your joint are expected. To help reduce pain, you should ice your incision site and leg, take some time to rest between your therapy sessions, and use anti-inflammatory medications after consulting with your physician to help relieve your symptoms. In addition, when you lay down, you should keep your leg elevated above your heart to help recede your swelling.
It is vital to pay close attention to your levels of pain. If you notice that your pain is consistently at a six or more on a scale of 1 to 10, you should mention it to your physician because this could be a sign of a complication or infection. With continued physical therapy, pain levels should decline to about a one or two in about 12 weeks after your replacement.