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Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip replacement surgery is performed to replace severe degeneration of the hip joint. The goal of hip replacement is to provide a pain-free hip joint that allows relatively normal activities and lasts as long as possible, normally 10 years or longer. Most hip replacement patients are typically 60 to 80 years old. If you are experiencing pain with your hip in everyday activities or while resting, have stiffness limiting your mobility, or have little pain relief from anti-inflammatory drugs, then you may be a candidate for total hip replacement. Your orthopedic surgeon will review the results of your evaluation and discuss whether hip replacement is the best method to relieve your pain and improve your mobility.
A hip replacement is the resurfacing and replacement of the worn-out surfaces of the hip due to inflammation from arthritis, injury, or simple wear and tear. A surgeon replaces lost cartilage and bone with metal and plastic. This is typically done through an incision averaging 10 to 12 inches on the side of the hip.
Minimally invasive total hip replacement, a different way of performing the surgery, uses an incision that is only three to six inches long. This means that potentially there will be less damage to the tissue around the hip. The benefits of minimally invasive total hip replacement include less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, better motion and often much quicker recovery periods. Discuss with your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for this new procedure.
