There are a lot of things that can cause pain in your hip — overdoing it at the game, an injury from a fall, or even conditions like arthritis. No matter what’s causing you pain, the goal is to get relief as soon as possible. However, conservative treatments don’t always work, meaning you may need hip replacement surgery to repair your joint and get long-lasting relief from pain.
At University of Toledo Physicians, our team has both the knowledge and experience to help you when your hip pain just doesn’t quit. Leading our team is Dr. Nabil Ebraheim, who specializes in orthopedics. Dr. Ebraheim performs hip replacement surgery when you’re out of options for pain relief.
When your hip hurts, it doesn’t automatically mean you need surgery. Sometimes, it’s a simple muscle strain or ligament sprain that’s causing your pain. These types of injuries normally heal on their own with home treatments.
However, when your hip pain doesn’t go away and starts to affect your ability to walk or climb stairs, it may be time for you to see a doctor. When hip pain is so severe that it affects how you live your daily life, there may be a bigger issue behind the discomfort.
Hip replacements are reserved for pain that’s been resistant to conservative measures, such as physical therapy and medications. But what are the causes of hip pain that could require hip replacement surgery? A few of these conditions include:
You may also need a hip replacement if any of these conditions make it impossible for you to get around normally, or if the pain affects your ability to live a normal life.
If you need a hip replacement, it’s important that you educate yourself prior to surgery. This way, you know all of the risks and what the procedure entails, so there are no surprises the day of. However, there are some important facts you might not know, and the following are 10 of them:
With today’s prosthetics, you’ll likely get at least 15-20 years, and often longer. This is especially true if you follow all of Dr. Ebraheim’s post-operative orders.
Your hip takes a lot of wear-and-tear, no matter how old or young you are. Injuries happen, and arthritis can strike at any time, so never think you’re too young or too old to have your hip replaced.
Technology has come a long way, making it possible to have a joint replaced using minimally invasive techniques. This cuts down on your recovery time and pain after surgery.
To keep your new hip from getting stiff, our team has you up and walking within about 24 hours of your surgery. This may seem crazy, but it’s actually necessary for your recovery.
While you’ll have less pain and can still enjoy most of your activities, you do need to modify some things. High-impact activities aren’t good for your new hip, so make sure to stick to low-impact exercise and sports.
There are many different companies that offer prosthetics, some made of ceramic and others of metal. Each hip replacement is done according to the damage in your joint and how your body tolerates the prosthetic.
Before surgery, you’ll need to get your home prepared for recovery. Make sure you have what you need on the first floor to avoid climbing steps during the first few weeks, and you may also want to lose a little weight so there’s less pressure on your new hip.
Depending on your condition before surgery and how the operation was performed, your recovery could be several months or up to a year for full use of your new hip.
A hip replacement is often performed for unbearable hip pain, but it’s also done when your mobility is affected too.
Not everyone’s hip is the same size, or has the same amount of damage. Dr. Ebraheim picks the best prosthetic for you, depending on the damage in your joint.
If you’re tired of hip pain and would like to learn more about hip replacements, you can call our office at 419-383-3761, or book a consultation online today. There’s also more information about services we provide on our YouTube channel.
