What is Hip Arthroplasty?

Hip arthroplasty (also called hip replacement) is a surgical procedure in which damaged cartilage and bone of the hip joint are removed and replaced with a naturally feeling artificial joint (prosthesis). Total hip replacement is a very common and highly effective procedure to relieve pain and improve mobility. This procedure is usually performed when there is significant damage to the hip joint due to osteoarthritis or other conditions involving trauma or osteonecrosis, which cause severe and debilitating pain and stiffness.

Should I Get a Hip Replacement?

It is important to talk to your doctor to determine whether you are a good candidate for hip arthroplasty. This type of surgery is often recommended for people with severe osteoarthritis who have significant cartilage deterioration and are not able to get pain relief using other treatment options. You may benefit from hip arthroplasty if you meet the following criteria:

• You have severe hip pain, swelling and stiffness
• Your hip pain impacts your mobility and quality of life
• Your hip pain disrupts your daily quality of life and sleep
• Nonsurgical treatments cannot relieve your symptoms
• Your medical examination (including X-rays) shows severe hip joint damage, including loss of bone and cartilage

What to Expect from Hip Replacement Surgery

During the hip replacement procedure, an incision is made over the hip joint to access and remove damaged cartilage and bone, which is then replaced with plastic, ceramic or metal prosthesis parts. In most cases, the surgery is a total hip replacement. In addition, a partial hip replacement procedure may be an option for leg fractures involving the femur head.

There are two ways of performing hip replacements – via the posterior and anterior approach. The posterior approach involves entering the hip socket from the back (posterior) of the hip area. During the anterior approach to surgery, the doctor accesses the hip joint through the front of the hip area. Your orthopedic surgeon will determine which approach is optimal for your hip replacement surgery and will discuss it with you prior to the procedure.

Preparing for Your Hip Replacement Procedure

Before scheduling your hip replacement surgery, the patient will first meet with one of our board-certified joint replacement specialists for the initial consultation. Then, the patient will need to return to the clinic for a day of pre-operative testing and education about the procedure. The testing will include a blood test, an X-ray and, sometimes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Prior to the hip replacement procedure, the patient may get a general anesthetic, but the vast majority of patients do not require this type of anesthesia. Most patients can be treated with a spinal or epidural anesthetic, which is administered along with sedative medication through an IV placed in the arm.

The patient and their family should also prepare their home for post-operative recovery, as well as arrange for someone to bring meals and pick up medications from the pharmacy for the first few days after surgery.

Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery

After the hip arthroplasty procedure, the patient will be moved to a recovery room until they wake up from anesthesia, and then they will be transferred to a hospital room, where the patient can expect to stay for one or several days.

Following hip arthroplasty, the patient will also go through several weeks of physical therapy. At Pima Ortho, your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan for you to provide seamless care throughout the entire process – from your initial diagnosis to surgery and recovery.

Following your hip replacement surgery, you can expect to slowly regain your hip function while feeling less pain. Usually, it takes about 8-12 weeks after this type of procedure for the patient to feel back to normal.

What are the Risks of Hip Replacement Surgery?

Total hip replacement is one of the most effective and successful orthopedic surgeries for patients with hip arthritis. This treatment is effective for alleviating pain, improving mobility and restoring hip joint function, offering patients a better quality of life. However, as with any major surgical procedure, hip arthroplasty surgery also involves certain potential risks and complications. The potential hip replacement surgery complications include:

• Reactions to anesthesia
• Formation of blood clots in leg veins
• Infections
• Rotation of the leg (version)
• Bone fractures
• Nerve or vascular injuries
• Numbness
• Scarring
• Chronic pain
• Leg length inequality
• Dislocation

Why Choose Pima Ortho for Your Hip Replacement Procedure?

If you need a hip replacement, you are in good hands at Pima Ortho. Our board-certified expert orthopedic surgeons and hip replacement specialists have performed thousands of hip arthroplasty procedures – one of the highest numbers of procedures of any orthopedic clinic in the Tucson area.

Our joint reconstruction specialists will determine the treatment procedure best suited for your needs to deliver optimal results so that you can feel confident in our care every step of the way.

If you are experiencing hip pain, contact us to request your appointment with our orthopedic hip specialists in Tucson, Arizona to determine whether hip replacement surgery is the right option for you.