If you experience chronic hip pain from arthritis or joint damage, your physician may recommend hip replacement surgery. This common procedure resolves much of the stiffness and mobility restrictions caused by joint issues. As with all surgeries, though, the patient will likely have a lot of questions. Here are the answers to some that surgeons frequently receive.

What You Need to Know About Hip Replacement Surgery

Who is the ideal candidate?

Various conditions can affect the hip joint. If you experience general hip joint pain, swelling, difficulty walking due to stiffness—even with a mobility aid—or have trouble going up stairs or rising from a seat, hip replacement therapy may be right for you.

Roughly 90% of patients undergoing hip replacement surgery have osteoarthritis. Patients should be aged 19 or older, not have osteoporosis, and be free of existing infections. Those with heart disease or type 2 diabetes and those who are smokers or prone to infection may not qualify due to potential post-surgical complications.

What’s the procedure like?

You’ll first be anesthetized, or a spinal block will be used to numb your lower body. The surgeon will make an incision on the front or side of your hip to access the joint.

They’ll then remove damaged or diseased tissue and implant a prosthetic socket into the pelvic bone. After this step, the surgeon will replace the ball that fits into your hip joint with a prosthetic. Most surgeries last between 60 and 90 minutes.

How long is the recovery period?

Most recovery periods last two to three weeks. During this time, you should keep activities to a minimum and will only be able to use a walker or crutches to move around. You’ll gradually work toward using a cane and likely be able to completely support yourself after three months.

Your doctor will go over important restrictions with you, such as not showering for four days after the procedure, avoiding driving for four weeks, stretching and hydrating while traveling to prevent blood clots, and leaving the surgical site strips attached until they begin to come off on their own.

Every patient is different, however. Go at a comfortable pace and keep your physician updated.

Will I recover my full range of motion?

Hip replacement surgery has a high success rate. You can expect to regain much of your range of motion. For the best results, consider working with a  physical therapist.

You’ll likely experience much less joint pain. However, you’ll still want to be careful. Try to avoid high-impact activities like running or jumping that will be stressful on the joint.

Ready to explore hip replacement surgery further? Colquitt Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive services at their Moultrie, GA, facility. They offer a variety of specialty services, including surgery, emergency room services, and weight loss treatment. Visit their website to learn more and connect on Facebook for more health tips. Call (229) 985-3420 to schedule a consultation.