| Does hip pain limit your everyday activities such as | | | | that rule out the possibility of hip replacement such |
| walking up and down stairs or getting up from a | | | | as Parkinson's disease, high risk of infection, and |
| seated position? Do you have trouble sleeping | | | | overall poor health. |
| because pain keeps you awake? If you are reading | | | | Hip replacement surgery is usually performed for |
| this, chances are you can relate to some of these | | | | severe conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid |
| symptoms. You may even be taking prescription | | | | arthritis, broken hip, and bone tumor. After |
| medications or using walking aids to help relieve the | | | | exhausting other treatment methods mentioned |
| pain you endure on a daily basis. | | | | above to alleviate your symptoms, surgery may |
| Maybe you've even considered hip surgery as a way | | | | become necessary. The good news is that there are |
| to end your pain once and for all. As an orthopedic | | | | some new and improved methods of performing hip |
| doctor, I know how you are feeling. I frequently | | | | replacement that are not as invasive as the standard |
| treat patients who are faced with the choice | | | | surgery. These advancements include the following: |
| between living with pain or hip replacement. More | | | | Mini-Hip Replacement - This procedure uses two |
| than 400,000 operations are performed each year | | | | small incisions, and x-rays to guide the implant into |
| that include total or partial hip replacements and this | | | | position. It is hoped that this will prove to be a |
| number is constantly increasing.i | | | | quicker, less painful recovery time. This may not be |
| The decision to have hip surgery should be a | | | | an option for everybody but the younger, athletic |
| cooperative effort on the part of you, your family, | | | | baby boomers, usually under 55 may be likely |
| and your orthopedic surgeon. Recommendations for | | | | candidates for this procedure or the next one known |
| surgery are based on the extent of your pain, | | | | as: |
| disability, and damage to your hip joint. Before | | | | Hip Resurfacing - In this procedure the implant is |
| reaching the conclusion to operate, your doctor will | | | | smaller and less normal bone is removed. The |
| most likely advise you to consider other treatments | | | | damaged hip's ball and socket can be relined with |
| first, such as pain medication, physical therapy, and | | | | smooth metal rather than cutting the worn bone |
| exercise. | | | | away and replacing it. Resurfacing relieves hip pain |
| Wait Before Going Under the Knife! | | | | and improves hip function by replacing the parts of |
| Before you rush to judgment on whether or not to | | | | the hip that have been damaged by disease or |
| have hip replacement, you might want to try | | | | arthritis. |
| managing your pain by making some simple lifestyle | | | | Almost as Good as New! |
| changes. Listed are just a few suggestions for hip | | | | In the past if you were suffering with pain from hip |
| pain relief. | | | | damage you were asked to wait as long as possible |
| Weight Loss - Maintaining a healthy weight is | | | | before undergoing surgery. This is because a |
| crucial when it comes to the stress on your joints. | | | | standard hip replacement usually wears out in about |
| Let's face it losing excess weight benefits your entire | | | | 15 years. Now with some of the new advancements |
| body - your heart, brain, muscles, and bones. The | | | | in hip surgery it is more likely that younger patients |
| right combination of portion control and light exercise | | | | will be given the opportunity to choose one of these |
| may be the secret to managing your pain. | | | | techniques to treat their painful condition. |
| Exercise - Although some exercise is good for | | | | In addition to new alternatives to hip replacement |
| you be sure to avoid activities that cause pain. Some | | | | procedures, research is being conducted to improve |
| muscle soreness is to be expected but it should | | | | not only the technique but the eligibility of the patient. |
| work itself out as you move through your day. Take | | | | The areas of study underway include which patients |
| it easy when you feel a sharp or shooting pain while | | | | are more likely to do well after hip replacement and |
| exercising or if the pain lingers for hours or even | | | | how to improve recovery programs used after |
| days. | | | | surgery. Information for patients regarding minimally |
| Rest - Stop what you are doing when you feel | | | | invasive hip replacement surgery has been developed |
| pain. You should rest for at least 24 to 48 hours | | | | by the American Association of Hip and Knee |
| before resuming your old activity level. | | | | Surgeons. |
| Apply ice - When you're feeling pain it is usually | | | | Physical therapy is an important part of your |
| because of inflammation in your joint. If pain is | | | | rehabilitation. The exercises most effective are those |
| intense try applying ice four or five times a day for | | | | that increase range of motion and make muscles |
| 10 to 15 minutes at a time. | | | | strong without putting too much stress on the joint. |
| Elevation - Recline with your feet up to help | | | | The goals are to increase overall fitness and increase |
| reduce swelling and help reduce pain. | | | | blood circulation by walking, bicycling on a bike |
| Supplements - Since cartilage is what makes your | | | | machine, swimming, or cross country skiing. |
| hips move without pain there are supplements that | | | | Hip replacement is often called the miracle surgery |
| are extremely helpful such as glucosomine & | | | | because it is successful more than 90% of the time. ii |
| chondroitin that restore damaged cartilage. Omega 3 | | | | Your new hip joint will reduce the pain you felt |
| fish oil and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) are | | | | before surgery. However, always work with your |
| excellent natural ingredients that lubricate your joints | | | | physical therapist to create a recovery program that |
| and aid in the efficiency of movement. | | | | is individualized just for you. High impact sports such |
| Pain medications - Over the counter pain killers | | | | as running or playing basketball may never be |
| with ibuprofen will aid in targeting inflammation and | | | | approved by your doctor so be careful not to |
| reducing pain. | | | | overstep your physical boundaries. |
| New Alternative to Hip Replacement! | | | | Remember, hip replacement isn't for everyone. You |
| When is it time to get your hip replaced? This is a | | | | may be able to manage your pain by making lifestyle |
| question not easily answered. The treatments | | | | changes that affect your flexibility and range of |
| mentioned above may decrease hip pain but may not | | | | motion. If hip replacement is your only alternative, |
| be the answer for everyone. Depending upon the | | | | consult an orthopedic surgeon and be sure to ask |
| damage shown in x rays, you may or may not be a | | | | about some of the alternatives to the standard hip |
| candidate for surgery. There are certain conditions | | | | replacement surgery. |