Hip pain can make everyday activities such as walking and putting on your socks or shoes painful. Some people with hip pain experience discomfort even when resting. You may develop issues within the hip due to fracture or health problems such as arthritis. Treatments such as medications and lifestyle modifications like losing extra weight can help reduce the pain. However, your physician may recommend Chevy Chase hip replacement if there is little pain relief with conservative treatments.
What is a hip replacement?
Hip replacement is a surgical procedure that involves removing a damaged hip joint and substituting it with a prosthetic implant. You may benefit from this procedure if:
- Your pain is so severe that it affects your quality of life.
- Pain is accompanied by stiffness limiting your range of motion.
- Symptoms do not get better with other treatments.
Why is my hip sore?
The most common cause of hip pain is damage to bones and cartilage, which is primarily due to:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
It is an autoimmune disorder and the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. There is no known cause for this disease, but it occurs due to abnormalities in the function of your body’s defense system. Instead of fighting against viruses and bacteria, the immune system attacks your joint cartilage, causing painful swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint in your body, but the commonly affected areas include the knees, hands, and wrists.
- Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is common in people aged 50 and above, and it occurs when the cartilage wears out, allowing the bones to rub on each other. Friction between points produces pain and may also result in the formation of bone spurs.
- Injury
Injuries such as fractures and dislocation limit blood supply to the femoral head. Inadequate blood supply may cause degeneration of the cartilage, resulting in arthritis.
How do I prepare for hip replacement?
An evaluation session with your orthopedic surgeon may be necessary, which usually includes a physical examination, x-ray, MRI tests, and assessment of your medical history. Before scheduling you for surgery, your surgeon reviews your evaluation results to establish whether hip replacement is the best option for you. If your problem is not extreme, your specialist may recommend other treatment options like medications and physical therapy.
An initial consultation with your surgeon helps you understand the potential risks of hip replacement surgery that may develop during or over time after the procedure. Examples include blood clots, fractures, infection, loosening of the new joint, nerve damage, and change in leg length.
What happens during surgery?
After checking in for surgery, you first change your clothes to a hospital gown. Next, the anesthesiologist desensitizes the lower part of your body using a spinal block. Sometimes sedation involves general anesthesia, which makes you unconscious throughout the surgery.
The surgeon cuts the hip’s side or front part and removes damaged bone and cartilage. Next, the surgeon implants a prosthetic into your pelvic bone and places a metal or ceramic bone to replace the damaged femoral head.
Chronic hip pain is a debilitating condition to have. Book a session with your orthopedic surgeon at Gautam Siram, MD, for treatment to improve your quality of life.
