| Arthritis and severe hip injury may lead to extreme | | | | surgery could be your next step. |
| pain or even inability to walk. Some doctors may | | | | Pain and immobility are serious issues and need to be |
| recommend total hip replacement surgery for | | | | addressed; sometimes surgery is the only way to |
| patients with severe hip problems. Osteoarthritis, | | | | really fix the problem. Arthroscopy is an outpatient |
| rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are three | | | | procedure in which pieces of cartilage or loose |
| common causes of hip pain and immobility. If you | | | | fragments of bone are removed. It is minimally |
| have a family history of osteoarthritis and you're | | | | invasive and often brings relief within a day or two. If |
| developing mobility restrictions due to hip pain, you | | | | arthritis is caught early, osteotomy may be an option. |
| could be a candidate for hip replacement surgery. | | | | Osteotomy involves realigning the bone and joint of |
| Candidates for Hip Replacement Surgery | | | | the hip and maybe the femur to decrease pressure |
| Candidates for hip replacement surgery aren't easily | | | | on the hip joint. This procedure could delay the need |
| recognized by age, class or activity level. Many | | | | for total hip replacement surgery by about 10 years. |
| patients are between the ages of 60 and 80, but hip | | | | What to Expect |
| replacement surgery isn't confined to the elderly. The | | | | While total hip replacement will likely make it much |
| successful candidate for total hip replacement | | | | easier to move and walk, it may not solve all of your |
| surgery often has pain that limits or completely | | | | problems. You need to be aware of what to expect |
| alleviates everyday activities such as standing or | | | | after your surgery. The reduction of pain and |
| walking. Hip pain often keeps them awake at night, | | | | improvement of mobility are major issues that are |
| potentially causing more health problems. Stiffness in | | | | generally always addressed with hip replacement. |
| the hip may limit movement such as sitting or even | | | | While total hip replacement will make daily activities |
| lying down. Candidates for hip replacement often find | | | | easier, it will not give you super powers to do things |
| very little or no relief from anti-inflammatory | | | | you couldn't do before your hip problems appeared. |
| medications and gait aids such as a cane or walker do | | | | After surgery you will be warned about certain |
| not ease the pain. | | | | activities. Jogging and jumping should be avoided for |
| Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment | | | | the rest of your life. The high impact can damage the |
| The best nonsurgical treatment for hip joint problems | | | | artificial hip and cause more problems in the long run. |
| is an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. | | | | In addition to avoiding high impact exercises, you |
| Glucosamine, a nutritional supplement, may also | | | | should avoid certain positions that could lead to |
| provide relief from hip joint pain caused by arthritis or | | | | dislocation of the joint. Normal wear and tear will |
| serious injury. Physical therapy may provide | | | | happen over the coming years, undue stress on the |
| temporary relief from some hip pain including | | | | artificial joint should be avoided. Because the joint is |
| stiffness and weakness. A cane or walker may | | | | prosthetic doesn't mean it won't still cause pain if it |
| improve mobility slightly and help for a time. If you've | | | | becomes damaged. |
| tried all recommended nonsurgical treatments, | | | | |