Relieving Pain and Regaining Strength Through Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip pain can have a big impact on your life, making it harder to do everyday things like tie your shoes or walk up and down the stairs in your house.

To help you get back to your normal activities, the AHN Saint Vincent Hospital Orthopaedic Institute offers hip replacement surgery for long-lasting pain relief.

Reasons for hip replacement surgery

There are many reasons people get hip replacement surgery:

• Arthritis (joint inflammation) or osteoarthritis (the breakdown of cartilage that cushions your joints) of the hip
• A broken or fractured hip
• A lack of healthy blood flow to the hip joint
• A bone infection or disease

Arthritis is the most common reason for surgery. If you have arthritis in your hip, you may also experience pain in your side or thigh, knees, or the front of your groin.

It’s important to reach out to your doctor about these symptoms as early as possible.

“If symptoms become so bad that they affect patients’ sleep or prevent them from doing activities, it’s time to start exploring the option of surgery,” said Robert Lupo, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital. “The sooner we have that conversation, the sooner we can help make life more comfortable and enjoyable for them again.”

If you do need surgery, getting it done sooner — rather than waiting until symptoms become even worse — may improve your chance for a faster, smoother recovery after surgery.

About hip replacement surgeries

Your hip is a joint made of two parts:

• A portion of the pelvis called the acetabulum
• The ball-shaped head of your femur, or upper-thigh bone

Hip replacement surgery involves removing the ball-shaped head of the femur and the socket portion of the acetabulum.

There are three ways doctors may perform surgery:

• Anterior hip replacement – Accessing the joint through the front of the hip
• Posterior hip replacement – Accessing the joint through the back of the hip
• Lateral hip replacement – Accessing the joint through the side of the hip

Each patient’s body and symptoms are different. Your doctor will choose the best surgery method for you based on your needs.

Preparing for hip replacement surgery

You’ll need to stay as healthy as possible before surgery for the best recovery and outcomes. Here are some steps you should take to prepare:

• Eat a balanced diet with lots of protein.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
• Practice good skincare and hygiene.
• Remove tripping hazards, like large rugs, from your floor at home.
• Gather a support system of loved ones to help you during recovery. 

What happens during surgery?

When it’s time for surgery, your doctors will:

• Give you spinal anesthesia so you don’t feel pain from the waist down
• Remove the ball of your hip joint
• Make sure your legs and hip sockets are lined up properly
• Replace the old joint with a new one made of strong ceramic and plastic materials

Healing and recovery

You may be able to go home the same day as your surgery if you don’t have other health complications.

Common side effects after surgery include numbness in the side of your leg or pocket area of your hip.

Your doctors will talk with you about:

• Pain management to reduce side effects
• At-home physical therapy to help you with movement
• Devices that can make life easier for you during recovery, like grasping tools or elevated toilet seats

“It’s crucial that patients listen to their body and what it needs during recovery,” said Dr. Lupo. “The goal is to get them moving again quickly, but each person is different, and they must go at their own pace for the best recovery outcomes. Our team is here to provide close-to-home support with anything they need during this process.”

Put a stop to your hip pain

The AHN Saint Vincent Hospital Orthopaedic Institute can help you get closer to pain-free living. Learn more about how hip replacement surgery may benefit you.