Hip Replacement Specialist

What is hip replacement?

Hip replacement is a procedure to remove irreversibly damaged joint surfaces and replace them with prosthetics of metal, ceramic, or hard plastic. Depending on the condition of your hip, you may need a total or partial hip replacement.

Total hip replacement

A total hip replacement replaces the femoral head (the ball of the joint) and the acetabulum (the socket), essentially giving you an entirely new hip joint. This type of hip replacement is the best option for widespread joint damage.

Partial hip replacement 

A partial hip replacement replaces only the femoral head part of your joint. You can only have this type of hip replacement if you have damage in the ball of the joint but have a healthy acetabulum. Partial hip replacement is less complex, with less recovery time, so in older patients, it might sometimes be the best option.

With a hip joint replacement and postsurgical physical therapy, your hip joint can move smoothly and painlessly again. 

What conditions commonly require hip replacement?

Osteoarthritis is the reason for 9 in 10 hip replacements. It occurs when your cartilage — the protective covering on your bones — erodes to leave bones grinding together when you move. 

Osteoarthritis commonly happens with age, as the stresses of decades of movement accumulate within your joints. It causes increasing issues as cartilage breakdown continues, leading to severe symptoms like pain, stiffness, and range-of-motion problems. In the most serious cases, osteoarthritis can steal your mobility. 

Mild cases of hip osteoarthritis usually respond to rest, exercise, and medication. With proper non-surgical management, some people can live with hip osteoarthritis for many months or even years. 

But, if your arthritis issues don’t respond to nonoperative treatments, you could be a good candidate for either a minimally invasive procedure such as joint preservation (restoring articular cartilage) or for hip replacement. 

Although it’s uncommon, some other conditions may lead to a hip replacement, including severe treatment-resistant bursitis, recurrent severe hip dislocations, bone death (osteonecrosis), and at-risk bone fractures. 

Martin Orthopedics carefully considers your individual situation and recommends hip replacement only if it’s the best way to achieve optimal hip function long-term.

How long does a hip replacement last?

Hip joint replacement components last for many years. But, if you have hip replacement surgery when you’re relatively young, you may need replacement hip implants when you’re older. 

The procedure, called joint revision surgery, is an effective way to preserve the effects of joint replacement surgery permanently. 

The board-certified and fellowship-trained Martin Orthopedics specialists are leading experts in the field of hip replacement, and they’re ready to evaluate your case. Book an appointment by calling the nearest office or clicking the online scheduling link.