Hip Replacement
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| Hip Replacement Surgery Procedure |
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 Hip Replacement: Facing hip replacement surgery can be frightening. Also called arthroplasty, hip replacement is a surgical procedure done to replace a damaged hip joint with a prosthesis or artificial joint.
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If hip pain limits your ability to walk, work, or perform simple activities, you may want to talk to your doctor about a hip replacement. In hip replacement surgery, the diseased parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts. The aim of hip replacement surgery is to make it less painful to move the joint, as well as improve its function.
Hip replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged hip with a prosthesis (an artificial joint). This surgery may be considered following a hip fracture (breaking of the bone) or for someone who has severe arthritis.
The goal of hip replacement surgery is to replace the parts of the hip joint that have been damaged and to relieve hip pain that cannot be controlled by other treatments.
Click here to learn about Direct Anterior Approach Hip Replacement.
Who might be a candidate for hip replacement?
The most common condition that results in the need for hip replacement surgery is arthritis. Also, hip replacement is one method of treating a hip fracture. A fracture is a traumatic event that may result from a fall. Pain from a fracture is severe and walking or even moving the leg is difficult. Other conditions that may cause hip joint degeneration and require hip replacement include infections and hip deformities.
The decision to replace the painful hip with an artificial one is a decision made by the patient and physician. Other alternative treatments may first be used, including:
- anti-inflammatory medications
- pain medications
- limiting painful activities
- assistive devices for walking (such as a cane)
- physical therapy
Knee Replacement
When a knee is so severely damaged by disease or injury, an artificial knee replacement may be considered. During knee replacement surgery, joint surfaces are substituted or replaced by prostheses. Nearly 600,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed annually in the US. The most common age for knee replacement is between ages 60 to 80 years old.
Who might be a candidate for knee replacement?
The most common condition that results in the need for knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis, a degenerative, joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the knees. Other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis that results from a knee injury can also lead to degeneration of the knee joint. In addition, fractures, torn cartilage, and/or torn ligaments also can lead to irreversible damage to the knee joint over the years.
The decision to replace the painful knee with an artificial one is a joint decision between you and your physician. Other alternative treatments may first be used, including assistive walking devices and anti-inflammatory medications.
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