Hip Joint Replacement

If pain and stiffness limit your normal activities and rest, and medication and physical therapy no longer work, you may benefit from a hip replacement. Also known as hip arthroplasty, total hip replacement is one of the most common orthopedic surgical procedures performed today.

Candidates for a total hip replacement often experience different forms of joint hip degeneration, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Other reasons for surgery may include a broken hip, bone tumors or loss of blood supply to the bones of the hip.

If you walk with a limp or experience pain or difficulty doing the following activities, you may be a candidate for hip replacement surgery:

• Going up and down stairs
• Sitting down or standing up
• Getting in or out of a vehicle

A hip replacement can provide long-term benefits, including improved movement and reduced pain.

Hip Replacement Surgery

To determine if hip replacement surgery is right for you, your orthopedic surgeon will perform an in-depth evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate for a hip replacement and, if so, which technique is right for you.

During hip replacement surgery, the hip joint is exposed by gently spreading muscles and opening the hip capsule. Next, the degenerated bone, cartilage and soft tissues are removed, and medical-grade implants are used to replace the worn out parts of the hip. Traditional hip replacement surgery involves a large incision on the side of the hip, while minimally-invasive hip replacement is performed through a shorter incisions and less cutting of muscles. Minimally-invasive hip replacement results in a faster, less painful recovery; however, not all patients are suitable candidates.

Total hip replacement surgery can be performed via a posterior (back) approach or an anterior (front) approach. The posterior approach allows the surgeon to access the hip joint on the side and slightly behind the joint. When an anterior approach is used, the surgeon makes the incision in the front of the upper hip, in the "pocket" area. Both techniques produce excellent results, and the surgeons affiliated with Texas Orthopedic Hospital can counsel you on the risks and benefits of each.

A unique set of patients have experienced a substantial trauma or have undergone a prior surgery, which can limit the use of conventional techniques. In those instances, our physicians utilize in field navigation and customized cutting blocks to achieve the best outcomes possible.

Most patients resume normal, light activities within six weeks following their surgeries. To ensure the best long-term outcome, patients are encouraged to maintain a healthy weight, as obesity can increase wear on the new joint, and to avoid strenuous activities, as directed by their surgeon.

Hip Preservation Treatment

While hip replacement surgery has long been the treatment of choice for these conditions, in young, active patients, hip preservation treatments can prevent the need for joint replacements. Physicians affiliated with the Texas Orthopedic Hospital Hip Preservation Center are highly skilled in hip preservation techniques, including hip arthroscopic surgery, for both adolescents and adults.

The experienced surgeons affiliated with Texas Orthopedic Hospital perform all types of hip replacement as well as hip resurfacing surgery, a combination of hip preservation and arthroplasty. The majority of these surgeons are members of the Fondren Orthopedic Group, a group globally recognized for leadership in orthopedic medicine.

Hip Replacement Specialists

A specialty orthopedics hospital, Texas Orthopedic Hospital is recognized for providing our joint replacement patients with the highest level of care. U.S. News & World Report has categorized Texas Orthopedic Hospital as High Performing in Hip Replacement. We have also been named one of Healthgrades' America's Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement. And we have been a Healthgrades Five-Star Recipient for Total Hip Replacement for more than 10 years.