An Overview of Hip Replacement Surgery

 

Hip replacement, also known as hip arthroplasty, is a surgery that involves the extraction of damaged sections of your hip joint and replacing them with artificial pieces. The artificial pieces (prostheses) are typically composed of metal, ceramic, or sturdy plastic. Hip replacement reduces pain and enhances the function of the hip.

This surgery may be an option for you if your hip pain is caused by a deterioration of the hip joint, and it prevents you from doing day-to-day activities. Doctors also recommend this procedure when nonsurgical treatments are unable to bring you relief from hip pain.

To determine if you are a good candidate for hip replacement surgery, an orthopedic doctor will order imaging tests of your hip to assess the damage to your hip joint. In some cases, surgery may not be necessary, and conservative treatment methods can bring relief. However, in many cases, the hip joint will not heal on its own and must be replaced. Based on your symptoms, health conditions, and the results of the imaging tests, your surgeon will determine if you are indeed in need of a hip replacement.

Hip surgery is performed using anesthesia and often requires you to stay in the hospital for a few days until you are able to get up and walk a little using an assistive device. You should expect to take a couple of months off work when getting a hip replacement, although many people can begin working from home within a few weeks. It will take you anywhere from 3 – 6 months to fully recover from a hip replacement.

You will be required to do physical therapy soon after the surgery to ensure you heal well and quickly. Rehabilitation after hip surgery is very important. You will essentially have to train your new hip to function – this can take some time. However, most people feel tremendously better after hip replacement surgery. Pain associated with the original damaged hip significantly subsides, and after rehabilitation, most people experience little to no pain whatsoever with the new hip.

Minimally Invasive Hip Arthroplasty

This procedure is an alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery, but it doesn’t serve the same purpose. Traditional hip replacement surgery requires the entire hip area to be opened up, so the surgeon has access to the surgery site. In order to do this, a large incision and muscle movement have to be done. All of this causes a lot of trauma to healthy tissue near the damaged hip joint.

Minimally invasive hip surgery involves making tiny incisions in strategic places to get access to the hip joint. A miniature camera and surgical tools are used to access the surgery site without having to open up the entire area using a large incision. As a result, the patient has minimal tissue trauma, very small scars, less risk of infection, and a much quicker recovery period.

Hip Replacement Surgery in Little Rock, Arkansas

In Bowen Hefley Orthopedics, Dr. William Hefley and his skilled team treat all types of orthopedic issues through conservative and surgical treatments. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (800) 336-2412. You can also request an appointment online.