Total Hip Replacement Surgery
A total hip replacement surgery, also known as hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that can help relieve hip pain and restore function in your joint. During a total hip replacement, the damaged areas of the hip joint are replaced or resurfaced with artificial materials, such as metal and plastic.
Your hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and when damage to structures at or around the ball or socket area results in pain, you may need the joint replaced. A total hip replacement will replace the ball portion of your hip (the thighbone or femoral component) and the socket portion (the pelvic component).
When Would a Total Hip Replacement Be Appropriate for Me?
The primary symptom that leads to a total hip replacement procedure is pain. If you are a candidate for a total hip replacement procedure, you may experience:
- Hip pain while bending, standing, walking, sitting, or resting
- Hip pain when lying down that may keep you awake at night
- Limited or restricted mobility or range of motion in your hip or hips
Typically, the pain is so severe it is unrelieved by conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, over-the-counter medications, or injections.
To determine if a total hip replacement surgery is the best treatment option for you, your orthopedic surgeon will evaluate your medical history as well as perform a physical examination, X-rays, and other tests, such as an MRI scan.
Following the evaluation, your surgeon will discuss whether a total hip replacement is the best treatment to relieve your pain and improve your function. Additionally, your surgeon will explain the potential risks and complications of a total hip replacement procedure based on your unique needs, anatomy, and overall health.
What Benefits Does Total Hip Replacement Surgery Offer?
Following a hip replacement surgery, you can expect reduced hip pain and limitation. With your new hip components, the friction and degeneration of structures in your hip joint will be eliminated and your hip function will be restored.
Because of incisions and adjustment to your new hip, you may experience some tightness and occasional aches postoperatively, but you should expect to return to your normal, everyday activities with more mobility and fewer limitations.
Why Choose Southern Indiana Orthopedics?
At Southern Indiana Orthopedics, our joint replacement doctors have had additional training in specific joints and procedures. You are in excellent hands with our total hip replacement surgeons, Dr. Douglas Federle, Dr. Matthew Lovell, and Dr. Eric Tannenbaum. Our hip replacement specialists are all board-certified in orthopedic surgery or fellowship-trained in advanced treatments and have the specialized knowledge and skills to treat your hip injury or condition individually to meet your needs.
To consult with our Southern Indiana Orthopedics specialists about your treatment options, please request an appointment online or call (812) 376-9353. Our surgeons are available at our main location in Columbus and at our North Vernon, Seymour, or Greensburg outreach clinics.