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Pain Relief and Improved Mobility with a Hip Replacement

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Pain Relief and Improved Mobility with a Hip Replacement
Carl A. Hicks, M.D., Joint Replacement Surgeon

Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas Can Help

If you have tried a pain medication regimen and still experience the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with a MOST physician. Persistent pain that keeps you from sleeping at night Little to no relief from pain medications Trouble going up or down stairs Difficulty rising from a seated to standing position Avoiding activities you enjoy because of the pain In addition to total hip replacements, a growing list of minimally invasive procedures such as hip resurfacing and anterior hip replacements may be options for you. An orthopedic specialist at MOST can discuss the benefits and risks of hip replacement surgery and other procedures and help you determine which is right for you.

Same-day appointments are available by calling 866-567-4130.

When the hip is working properly, you can move, sit, bend and turn without pain. Yet as one of the body’s largest weight-bearing joints, the hip represents an intricate system of bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments and tendons where all sorts of things can go painfully wrong.

Symptoms Signaling Surgical Consideration
"Hip replacement is usually presented as a treatment option when other therapies, such as pain medications, have been exhausted," says Carl A. Hicks, M.D., board certified joint replacement surgeon with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST). "The people most likely to consider having a hip replacement are those suffering debilitating pain from severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, a hip injury, a bone tumor or bone loss due to an inadequate blood supply." In the past, hip replacements have typically been options for adults age 60 and older; however, newer technology has improved artificial joints significantly, making them a viable solution for active younger people, too.

What You Can Expect
The success rate of hip replacement surgery is high. Studies have shown that more than 95% of people who have a hip replacement are happy with the recovery and say they would do it again.

"During traditional hip replacement surgery, the femoral head or ball of the thighbone is replaced with a metal ball and attached to a stem that fits into the thighbone," explains Dr. Hicks. "A socket is then implanted into the pelvic bone to replace the damaged socket. The prostheses used may be made from a combination of durable, wear-resistant materials including plastic and metal. The surgery typically takes one hour, followed by two to three days of recovery in the hospital."

After returning home, patients typically participate in a rehabilitation program. Physical therapists help patients through a series of exercises designed to strengthen the hip and increase activity levels. Once recovery is complete, most people experience greater mobility and less joint pain.