Total hip arthroplasty, also called total hip replacement, is a common orthopedic surgery that replaces the damaged hip with a prosthetic hip. This procedure often results in reducing or stopping pain and improving mobility. It also allows you to resume daily life and activities that you’ve put off because of hip pain and stiffness. A physician will typically recommend non-invasive hip treatments. After exhausting all other options, the next course of action may be total hip replacement.

Causes of hip pain include:

• Osteoarthritis – Commonly referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis. It damages the cartilage that helps the joints move smoothly.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – Causes inflammation that can wear down cartilage and sometimes the underlying bone. It damages or deforms the joints.
• Fracture – A fracture could be caused by an injury and result in traumatic arthritis.

What is total hip arthroplasty?
Contrary to its name, a surgeon performing a total hip replacement isn’t replacing the entire hip. What the surgeon replaces is the damaged sections of the hip joint. These damaged sections are replaced with parts made of ceramic, metal, or hard plastic. This procedure can reduce pain and improve mobility. A total hip replacement procedure involves an incision in the hip area. The surgeon removes the damaged parts of the hip joint and replaces them with the prosthesis.

Is total hip arthroplasty right for you?
The most common reason for a total hip replacement is to treat hip-related pain that cannot be treated with medication and non-invasive treatment like physical therapy. Damage to the hip joint and bones can limit mobility, increase stiffness, and cause pain. Your physician may recommend a total hip replacement as the course of treatment when medication and other treatment options don’t control the pain and improve mobility.

Your physician should discuss options with you along with their benefits and disadvantages. Ultimately, deciding whether to pursue a total hip replacement is your decision with help from your family and education from your physician.

Total hip replacement is recommended for the following conditions:

• Hip pain persists despite medication and conservative treatment
• Hip pain worsens with walking, even when using a cane or walker
• Hip pain disrupts sleep or any kind of rest
• Makes it harder to get up out of a seat or use stairs
• Affects daily life activities such as getting dressed