As hip pain develops and advances, you may eventually find yourself unable to complete simple, routine tasks. Sitting, standing, and walking can be painful or not possible at all if hip pain advances to high levels. If this pain advances to levels that interfere with your life, your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend hip replacement surgery.
If you’ve never experienced surgery or have doubts about the surgery’s effectiveness, you aren’t alone. Patients about to undergo a replacement surgery come to us with many common questions, and we’re here to answer them.
How Do I Know if Hip Replacement Surgery is Right for Me?
Surgery is used as a last resort for when your body and symptoms cannot be managed with less invasive treatment. There are some symptoms that can indicate the need to discuss hip replacement surgery as an option with your doctor. Pain in the hip from completing simple movements like walking, advancing painful conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, or an injury from sports or other intense physical activity could all be reasons for a hip replacement.
In the past, this procedure was only recommended for older people age 60 and over, but this may no longer be the case. In recent years, orthopaedic surgeons are recommending hip replacement surgery to younger, active patients to prevent them from putting more stress and strain on their hips over time, which can contribute to more chronic pain and damage.
Are There Alternatives to Surgery?
While surgery may sometimes be the only option for patients, your orthopaedic surgeon can present additional, non-surgical options. Before surgery is suggested, you may be asked to walk with a cane, complete physical therapy, or take medications to ease the pain and resolve the issue. Cortisone injections could also be recommended, but may only relieve pain for a short amount of time. Be honest when talking with your doctor about your care options to determine which alternative method may work best for your needs.
How Can I Prepare for Surgery?
Your orthopaedic surgeon will review this information during your pre-surgery consultation, but there are a few basic practices you can follow when preparing for surgical care. You will need to have a spouse, friend, or family member drive you to and from the hospital on surgery day, as well as arrange for help in the one to two weeks after the procedure. Be sure to place any frequently used objects at arm level for easy access. To make things easier for you and your helper, stock up on easy to prepare food for the coming weeks to make cooking simpler. Booklets and brochures with more detailed information are typically offered to patients who may have further questions about their time after surgery, and patients are encouraged to ask their doctors specific questions as they arise to ensure your needs are addressed appropriately.
When Can I Get Back Into My Routine?
This all depends on the patient, their lifestyle, and how well their body recovers from the procedure. However, there are some common answers that apply to a majority of patients. Basic daily movements can be done within a few days to a few weeks (from standing, walking, going up and down stairs, etc.) If your job is primarily sedentary, you should be able to return to work within one month, and two to three months for more active employees. As always, it’s essential to be in constant communication with your doctor about how your recovery is progressing, as these average timelines may need to be adjusted to better facilitate your recovery.
A hip replacement procedure is a major step, so questions and concerns from all of our patients are typical. Whatever your concerns may be, we can help. The team at Advanced Surgical Hospital can assist in answering your surgery questions and easing your concerns to ensure your procedure runs as smoothly as possible. For more information on Advanced Surgical Hospital, hip replacement surgery, and our other services, contact us today.
