Hip replacement surgery or hip arthroscopy is a highly effective surgical treatment of hip pain and immobility. In hip replacement surgery, a disease or injured hip joint is removed and replaced with an artificial hip joint.
If you have been experiencing hip pain and loss of mobility, you may be wondering if you are a candidate for hip replacement surgery.
Let’s discuss how you can determine your candidacy for hip replacement surgery and where you can go for outstanding hip replacement surgery in Westlake, OH.
See an Orthopedic Surgeon for Hip Pain and Immobility
If you have severe hip pain and immobility that has affected your quality of life, it is recommended to consultan orthopedic surgeon. An orthopedic surgeon is a specialized doctor who can help you decide if you are a candidate for hip replacement surgery.
They will do several tests, such as X-rays, MRI, bonescans, blood tests, and other lab tests, to determine your suitability for hip replacement surgery.
Candidates for Hip Replacement Surgery
Having pain doesn’t necessitate hip replacement surgery;in fact, there are many things that your orthopedic surgeon considers before recommending the procedure.
Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend hip replacement surgery if:
You Have Arthritis of Hip
Arthritis is one of the major reasons to have joint replacement surgery. It can occur for many reasons, including disease, injury, and “wear and tear.
Damage to the articular cartilage due to arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the hip that restrict normal activities, such as walking.
Post-traumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are types of arthritis that, when advanced, warrant hip replacement surgery.
You Have a Hip Injury or Fracture
Damage to the hip joint after an injury or fracture is another good reason forhip replacement surgery.
Furthermore,Avascular necrosis resulting from a hip fracture can make you a good candidate for hip replacement surgery. Avascular necrosis, also known as osteonecrosis, refers to the death of bone tissues due to a lack of blood supply. This can also cause damage to the articular cartilage, resulting in hip pain and stiffness.
Conservative Treatments Have Been Exhausted
In order to treat your hip pain and immobility, your orthopedic doctor will likely recommend non-invasive treatments such as medications, cortisone shots, physical therapy, etc., to manage your condition before returning to surgery. Should conservative options fail to treat your pain and immobility, they will recommend surgical replacement of your damaged joint.
You Feel Pain Even at Rest
Ideally, pain in the hip should get better with rest. However, if your pain is not improving even with adequate rest and your disability has made doing your routine tasks difficult or impossible, you may be a candidate for hip replacement surgery.
You Are Not Overweight
Hip replacement surgery is not for people witha higher body mass index (BMI). This is because your extra weight can put extra stress on your replaced joint and increase the chances of experiencing surgery risks, like loosening the implant, dislocation, etc.
So, if you meet other criteria but are overweight, your orthopedic surgeon may advise you to lose your extra weight to become a candidate for hip joint replacement.
You Do Not Have Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is when your bones become brittle. Such bones fail to support and adhere to the new joint. So, if you have a high bone density (no brittle bones), you are a candidate for hip replacement surgery.
Hip Replacement Surgery in Westlake, OH
Have hip pain, stiffness, and immobility?Consider getting your hips evaluated by our orthopedic surgeon at Orthopedic Associates. Our orthopedic surgeons have established an excellent reputation for providing comprehensive and advanced orthopedic care to people of all ages. In addition to joint replacement surgery that can be done through an arthroscopic approach, we also offer physical therapy and rehabilitation services to our patients.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, call us today at (440) 892-1440 or use our convenient online appointment request form.
