Patient Education: Hip Replacement

When is Total Hip Replacement needed?

A painful, stiff, hip can keep you from doing the things you enjoy in life, and your decision to replace your knee is your first step toward regaining control of your life. Technical advances have given us new materials to replace your problem hip with a prosthesis. Therefore, when lesser methods are no longer able to control the pain and disability to your satisfaction, hip replacement becomes a reasonable option. 

Hip replacement is usually performed to treat severe arthritic conditions. The operation is sometimes performed for other problems such as hip fractures or aseptic necrosis. Most patients who have artificial hips are over the age of 55, but the operation is occasionally performed on younger patents as well. Circumstances vary, but generally patients are considered for hip replacements if:

1) Pain is severe enough to restrict work, recreation, and the ordinary daily activities.

2) Pain is not relieved by anti-inflammatory medicine, the use of a cane, and other restricting devices.

3) There is a significant stiffness of the hip. 

4) X-rays show advanced arthritis or other hip problems. 

Hip replacement is an elective operation and there are always non-operative alternatives. The decision to have the operation is not made by your doctor, but by yourself. The doctor may recommend the operation; however, your decision must be based upon weighing the benefits of the operation against the risks. You may wish to discuss the surgery with your own doctor or even get another opinion so all your questions are answered before you decide to have the operation.

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