Total Hip Replacement

Why would I need a total hip replacement?

You might need to undergo total hip replacement surgery if your hip joint is beyond repair. The most likely cause of severe hip damage requiring total joint replacement is advanced arthritis.

Your hip joint is responsible for numerous movements. In fact, your shoulder is the only other joint that moves more freely than your hip. However, hips are also weight-bearing joints, supporting you while you stand, sit, walk, or run. Hip injuries or diseases like arthritis in the hip joint can cause restricted mobility and significant pain.

The Silicon Valley Orthopaedics team offers a range of treatments for hip pain. In most cases, conservative approaches such as medication, physical therapy, and joint injections effectively resolve hip pain or lower it to a manageable level. Only if your hip joint fails to respond to these treatments would you need a total hip replacement.

What does total hip replacement surgery involve?

Total hip replacement surgery takes place under a general anesthetic or with a spinal nerve block. You might also get an injection in the hip to reduce post-surgical pain.

To perform total hip replacement, your Silicon Valley Orthopaedics surgeon makes an incision into the side or front of your hip. They remove the damaged cartilage and bone so only healthy bone remains and prepare the surfaces for the new hip joint.

Your surgeon implants an artificial socket into the pelvic bone and replaces the ball-shaped bone at the top of your femur (thighbone) with an artificial ball. The new ball has a stem that fits inside the femur for stability.

If you're a suitable candidate, the Silicon Valley Orthopaedics team uses minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques or robotic-assisted surgery to carry out total hip replacement. These approaches offer many advantages, including less pain and blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker return to fitness.

What happens after total hip replacement surgery?

After your total hip replacement surgery, you spend a few hours in the recovery area while your anesthesia wears off. Your surgeon will visit to tell you how the operation went.

To begin with, you need to use walking aids, such as crutches, a walker, or a cane to keep your weight off the new joint. Rehabilitation from total hip replacement can take some time, and you must follow your personalized physical therapy program for optimal recovery.

To find out more about total hip replacement and see whether you're a good candidate, call Silicon Valley Orthopaedics today or book an appointment online.