Everything You Need to Know About Hip Replacement Surgery

You may benefit from hip replacement surgery if other treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and exercise haven’t relieved your pain or improved function. While you may be hesitant about surgical intervention, this procedure has been utilized widely since the 1970s. Remarkable advances in medical technology have resulted in less invasive techniques that yield longer-lasting results than in the past. In the United States, orthopedic surgeons perform about 400,000 hip replacements every year. 

Successful hip replacement surgery can relieve pain and improve your quality of life. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Louis Keppler, MD, has over 30 years of experience helping patients find relief and renewed function with hip replacement surgery. Dr. Keppler and his team of orthopedic specialists at Dr. Louis Keppler & Associates in Independence, Ohio, provide an expert diagnosis of painful and debilitating hip pain. If hip replacement surgery is right for you, Dr. Keppler and his associates ensure that your surgery results in the best possible outcome.

What is hip replacement surgery?

Your hip joint consists of your hip socket, called the acetabulum, and the upper end of your femur (thigh bone), called the femoral head. Hip replacement surgery replaces the acetabulum and femoral head when they’re damaged by osteoarthritis, which is a form of degenerative arthritis that occurs when cartilage deteriorates from age or injury. 

Cartilage covers the ends of your bones. It creates a cushion between two bones at the point where they meet so they can glide smoothly against each other. When the cartilage wears away in osteoarthritis, the ends of the two bones remain unprotected. As a result, the bones rub against each other, causing painful friction and bone spurs. 

What’s involved in having hip replacement surgery?

When performing hip replacement surgery, Dr. Keppler uses an advanced robotic-assisted technique. This minimally invasive approach results in the smallest incisions necessary. It helps reduce blood loss, post-surgical pain, the length of your hospital stay, and recovery time. 

While Dr. Keppler designs the procedure to your individual needs, a typical hip replacement surgery involves:

• Administration of general or regional anesthesia so you won’t feel pain during the procedure
• Removal of the damaged femoral head and replacement with an artificial stem and ball into the top of your femur
• Removal of the damaged cartilage from your socket and replacement with an artificial socket 
• Securing all parts in place with cement or screws
• Placement of a spacer between the new ball and socket to allow for smooth movement between the two surfaces
• Closure of the surgical wound

Post-surgical care involves getting you up and on your feet with crutches or a walker as soon as the day after surgery. Depending on your condition and rate of recovery, you may return to work and normal activities within a few weeks if you follow your prescribed plan of physical therapy and exercise. 

You can expect long-term benefits from hip replacement surgery. About 85% of hip joint replacements last 20 years. 

Am I a candidate for hip replacement surgery?

Your recommendation for surgery depends on your pain and disability. Age and weight may not disqualify you. The average age range for patients who undergo total hip replacement lies between 50 and 80. However, patients from their teens to over 80 can successfully undergo hip replacement surgery.   

You may benefit from hip replacement surgery if you’ve tried other more conservative treatments, such as physical therapy or pain medication, and haven’t experienced pain relief or improvement in your mobility. You may also be a candidate for hip replacement surgery if you have hip pain that affects your quality of life by limiting daily activities. Pain that occurs while walking, bending, or at rest during the day or night may also qualify you for this procedure. 

Don’t live another day in pain. Find out if a hip replacement can relieve your discomfort and improve your quality of life. Schedule an appointment online or call our office to arrange a consultation.