Is Hip Replacement Right for Me?

Hip replacement surgery can seem like a daunting challenge at first thought, and as a result, many people don’t consider it a suitable option for themselves. Instead they opt to continue living with pain or delay the inevitable surgery for a later time in their lives. This course of action can often lead to a lot more pain and aggravation than any hip replacement surgery would cause, and it takes a serious toll on the person’s quality of life.

We try to avoid that reality by working closely with individuals to determine whether a hip replacement is right for them based on needs, not age or other circumstances. Scheduling a visit with a specialist is a great way to determine the right course of action for you, but before you even have to take that step, let’s take a look at some factors that typically make a patient a good fit for hip replacement surgery.

Chronic Pain

If your hip is causing you significant pain for at least one day per week and that pain doesn’t seem to be going away, you might be a candidate for hip replacement. When pain medications have stopped working and the pain is becoming more frequent and increasingly problematic, your joint may have worn down to a point that makes surgery your best option. Delaying can only make things worse, and the best strategy for relief is to take action as soon as possible.

Loss of Mobility

With the chronic pain of osteoarthritis often comes stiffness and limited mobility. If you experience pain or difficulty with any of the following activities, you may be a good fit for hip replacement surgery:

• Walking /running
• Bending at the knees and waist
• Walking up or down stairs
• Sleeping

These main actions are often parts of more complex activities like golfing, gardening or working out… which leads us to our next factor for consideration.

Limited Freedom

This is probably the biggest factor on our list. If you can’t participate in the activities you love because of hip pain, you might be a great candidate for surgery. When pain is infrequent or less severe, you might be able to ignore it or work through it and still enjoy your life. But as soon as you have to limit your activity because of pain, you’ll find yourself compromising your happiness and quality of life, which can lead to a lot more problems in addition to pain.

If your hip is preventing you from staying in shape, playing 18 holes, going for a walk with your loved ones, or sleeping comfortably at night, you need to consider every possible option for getting your freedom back. And hip replacement surgery just might be the perfect choice.

If any of this sounds like you, our team is ready and able to help. We have board-certified surgeons with years of experience on staff and some of the most advanced surgical technologies available. Contact us today to meet with one of our specialists, and get yourself back on track to a pain-free life.