Is It Time for Hip Replacement Surgery? 7 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Medically reviewed by Dr. Samual Lindemeier, orthopedic surgeon

Tired of that achy hip keeping you from being as active as you’d like or even disrupting normal daily activities? Hip replacement surgery might be the solution.

Hip replacement surgery is the second most common type of joint replacement in the United States, with approximately 544,000 performed each year.

If you have hip pain, swelling, and stiffness that increasingly disrupt your life and you’ve tried medications and other treatments without relief, your medical provider may recommend hip replacement surgery as the next step.

Understanding Hip Anatomy

The hip joint is the body’s largest weight-bearing joint. It’s what’s known as a “ball-and-socket” joint, which describes how the joint’s components join together.The ball in your hip joint is called the femoral head, which is the top of your thigh bone.

This ball fits into the socket, which is a part of the pelvic bone called the acetabulum. Both the ball and the socket are covered in cartilage and fluids, allowing the two components to move seamlessly.

7 Signs You May Need Hip Replacement Surgery

Injuries and certain medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can damage different components of the hip, leading to a variety of uncomfortable and even debilitating symptoms.

Symptoms of significant hip damage may include –

1. Difficulty lifting your legs, such as when climbing stairs
2. Difficulty moving around
3. Limited range of motion
4. Pain even when at rest
5. Pain that disrupts your sleep
6. Stiffness and swelling in the hip
7. Sounds, like creaking noises, when moving the hip joint

If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms for a while, it may be challenging to know when to check in with a medical provider. Pay attention to how your symptoms are affecting your life.

“It may be time for hip replacement surgery if your symptoms are impacting your quality of life and keeping you from doing things you enjoy,” said Dr. Samual Lindemeier, orthopedic surgeon at Essentia Health. “It’s also important to let your provider know if other treatment options, such as medication or physical therapy, aren’t helping to ease your symptoms or if your symptoms are worsening.”

Hip replacement surgery may also be recommended in cases of acute hip damage, such as a hip fracture or avascular necrosis. This condition occurs when bone in the hip dies because blood supply is cut off, leading to progressively worsening joint pain and decreased range of motion.

How Hip Replacement Surgery Works

If your provider believes you could benefit from hip replacement surgery, they’ll recommend that you see an orthopedic surgeon. The orthopedic surgeon can confirm that you’re a candidate for the procedure and talk you through what to expect.

There are two types of hip replacement surgery –

• Total hip replacement surgery, where the entire hip joint is replaced
• Partial hip replacement surgery, where part of the hip joint is replaced

Partial hip replacement is very rare, usually only used to repair broken hips or remove tumors. Total hip replacement, also called total hip arthroplasty, is much more common.

During the surgical procedure, damaged bone and cartilage in the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial components made of metal, ceramic, and plastic. This helps to restore the natural function of the hip, allowing you to move again without discomfort.

These artificial components are what give hip replacements many of their common names. You may have heard someone refer to their “artificial hip” or talk about “hip implants.” They’re talking about the new hip joint after a total hip replacement.

Hip replacement surgery usually takes between one and two hours. Depending on your specific needs and the surgeon’s preferences, you may be given general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep, or anesthesia that numbs you from the waist down.

What to Expect After Hip Replacement Surgery

Immediately after surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery room, where your vital signs will be carefully monitored as the anesthesia wears off. After a short time, you’ll meet with a physical therapist, who will work with you to get you up and moving.

You may be discharged from the hospital on the same day as your surgery or the next day. When you’re sent home, you’ll receive a set of instructions to guide your at-home recovery, including information about the risk of blood clots, signs of infection and other complications, and how to manage your pain.

In the days and weeks after hip replacement surgery, you’ll need to participate in physical therapy sessions. These rehabilitation sessions play a key role in helping you strengthen the muscles around your hips, regain abilities, and improve your range of motion.

“Recovery after hip replacement surgery is a journey, and every patient progresses at their own pace,” Dr. Lindemeier said. “Staying committed to physical therapy and following your doctor’s advice can help you get moving again and back to doing the things you love.”

Carefully follow your orthopedic surgeon’s guidance about when to resume certain activities—and what activities you should avoid moving forward. While you can gradually resume most activities, it may be best to avoid high-impact workouts such as tennis, running, and basketball.

Your orthopedic surgeon can offer you personalized guidance as you recover from hip replacement surgery and look to protect your hips in the future.

How Long Does a Hip Replacement Last?

New innovations in artificial hips mean that hip replacements often last for years and even decades. Hip replacement surgery offers a long-lasting solution to hip joint damage and pain.

New technologies and techniques have also made hip replacement surgery an increasingly safe and successful procedure. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, less than 2% of patients experience serious complications following surgery.

Key Takeaways

If you’re experiencing hip pain, swelling, and stiffness that disrupt your daily life, you may benefit from hip replacement surgery. During this surgical procedure, the damaged cartilage and bone in the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial components.

Your orthopedic surgeon will most likely replace the entire hip joint and can give you a timeframe for how long your recovery will be. But after some rest and physical therapy, your new hip should help you move naturally and with less pain.