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Do You Need Hip Replacement Surgery?

If you experience daily hip pain from a prior injury or a condition like arthritis, it might be time to consider a total hip replacement. As one of the most commonly-performed elective surgeries in the United States, hip replacement surgery could help you get back to the lifestyle you’re accustomed to. In fact, around 90 percent of individuals who undergo hip replacement surgery enjoy better mobility without any of the pain and stiffness that previously interfered with daily activities.

5 Signs You Could Benefit from Hip Replacement Surgery

Avoiding the stairs at all costs. The inability to partake in physical fitness activities. Feeling at the end of your rope dealing with the daily pain in your hip. These are just a few of the signs that hip replacement surgery could greatly improve your quality of life. If you’re noticing these or any of the following symptoms, you may be a good candidate for a total hip replacement:

1. Persistent, chronic hip pain. If you’re feeling pain in your hip all the time, even when you’re at rest, it might be time to consider hip replacement surgery. Along with limiting the amount of physical activity you can participate in, this pain can also start to take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Keep in mind that hip pain that interferes with your daily life is not normal. When you can no longer walk around the grocery store, get in and out of a car, or vacuum your home, hip replacement surgery could allow you to regain these abilities.
2. Stiffness in your hip all the time. Ongoing stiffness in your hip joint is a sign there’s something more serious going on, and it’s time to consider discussing it with your physician. Perhaps you’re noticing, for example, that putting your shoe on one foot is more difficult than the other — this is a common sign of stiffness in your hip.
3. Arthritis in your hip is wearing down your bones. In advanced cases of hip arthritis, surgery is recommended or even necessary to stop the bones from wearing down. Hip arthritis starts to cause the synovial membrane, the tissue that surrounds the hip, to become inflamed. This results in the cartilage in the hip getting worn away, leading to the ends of the bones rubbing together painfully.
4. Hip pain interrupts your sleep regularly. A good night’s sleep is key to keeping you alert, refreshed and can even improve your memory and mental health. However, hip pain can start to interfere with how well you’re able to sleep, making you feel groggy and irritable the following day, and affecting your overall quality of life. It’s important to take note if your sleeping patterns are being affected by your ongoing hip pain.
5. You have run out of other options. When you’ve simply tried everything you can and are still dealing with daily hip pain, or the pain keeps increasing, it’s time to consider a total hip replacement. If you are no longer getting relief from over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen, physical therapy, cortisone shots, or using assistive devices like a walker or crutches, schedule a consultation with your physician.

As a highly effective elective surgery, hip replacement can get you back to the lifestyle you love. Talk to your physician to discuss your specific symptoms, and learn about the risks and complications involved to find out if hip replacement is right for you.

Recover from Hip Replacement Surgery Successfully at Advent Christian Village

Our mission is your recovery at Advent Christian Village, where our professional team is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our patients. Experience excellence in both short- and long-term rehabilitation at ACV Outpatient Services, with inpatient and outpatient services at Good Samaritan Center and Copeland Medical Center. Contact us to schedule a tour or to request more information.