Total Hip Replacement

Causes of Hip Pain

Your joints are involved in almost every activity you do. Movements such as walking, bending and turning require the use of your hip and knee joints. When your hip becomes diseased or injured, the resulting pain can severely limit your ability to move and work.

One common cause of knee and hip pain is Osteoarthritis (OA). OA is sometimes called degenerative arthritis because it is a “wearing out” condition involving the breakdown of cartilage and bones. With osteoarthritis, the cushioning cartilage at the end of the femur may have worn down, making walking painful as bone rubs against bone.

What is Hip Replacement Surgery?

Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery involves the removal of arthritic bone and damaged cartilage, and replacing them with hip implants that are designed to replicate the hip joint. Most people who undergo hip replacement are between the ages of 50 and 80.

During surgery, the femur (head of the thigh bone) is replaced with a metal stem and the acetabulum (hip socket) is fitted with a metal cup. The artificial ball is placed on a metal stem, and the artificial socket is lined with polyethylene (a durable plastic). Some surgeons use minimally invasive surgical approaches such as the Direct Anterior Approach for Total Hip Replacement. This technique may be associated with reduced muscle damage and pain, as well as faster post-operative recovery.

Your Recovery

After surgery, you’re taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (recovery room) for one to two hours. You’re then moved to your private room in one of Silver Cross’ surgical units, where you typically stay for a couple of days before going home, or a rehabilitation facility. You may feel some pain, but medications prescribed by your doctor should help control it. Your surgeon, nurses and physical therapists will set goals with you to get you back on the move. They will closely monitor your condition and progress. Your surgeon may review an x-ray of your new hip replacement with you.

During the first few weeks after surgery, you’re more likely to experience a good recovery if you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions. If needed, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross Hospital offers outpatient rehabilitation. Just ask your surgeon for a referral.

After surgery, if you require additional assistance when you return home, the Silver Cross Home Health team will be there for you. Our experienced staff will even come out prior to your surgery to offer assistance in making sure everything is ready when you return home. It is just one of the reasons why we have been recognized as a HomeCare Elite Top Agency for many years.

Surgery is a difficult decision. You should talk with your doctor to better understand the risks and complications before making the decision to undergo total hip replacement; but consider that a study has shown that better outcomes have been reported in those patients who had a total joint operation earlier in their disease process. Two years after their operation, patients who chose surgery earlier in the disease process had improved function and reduced pain compared to those who waited.