Is groin or hip pain preventing you from enjoying time with your loved ones—especially during the holidays? If so, hip replacement surgery might be an excellent option to help you remain active and move around with your family. Here are five signs that may indicate the need for hip replacement.
Time of a Hip Replacement
Everyday Tasks are Painful and Hard: Hip replacement might be necessary for people who have trouble running daily errands and activities due to pain or stiffness. These activities include sitting, standing, walking, bending, carrying items, or climbing stairs.
Mental Health Issues: Chronic hip pain accompanied with additional symptoms such as weight loss, restlessness, constant fatigue, sleeping problems, loss of interest in hobbies, and feelings of hopelessness may necessitate hip replacement surgery. This surgery may help a person enjoy time with family during the holidays—while leading a more fulfilling life.
Stiffness or Pain Even When Immobile: The stiffness or pain in the hip is still bothersome even when there's little-to-no physical movement (i.e., when a person is lying on a bed at night or sitting down).
Other Therapies Don't Offer Relief: Some hip problems can be managed or resolved with less invasive treatment options such as physiotherapy, weight loss, exercise, and anti-inflammatory medication. But if these methods don't offer sufficient relief, it may be time to consider hip replacement surgery.
Significant Hip Damage: People who suffer from age-related wear and tear or joint conditions such as arthritis may need their hips replaced to avoid further damage.
Seek Professional Opinion
Please note the decision to have hip replacement surgery should be made under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional such as an orthopedic surgeon. The doctor can discuss alternative treatments—while ruling out other health issues that may contribute to the hip pain (e.g., tendinitis, spine problems, back problems, tight muscles, or knee pain).
Recovery
It's essential to keep in mind that hip replacement surgery lasts 10-20 years, takes time for a full recovery, demands physical therapy, and follow-up procedures may be necessary. The recovery journey may take up to 12 months, depending on the individual patient's progress and characteristics.
Contact an Orthopedic Surgeon
For more information or inquiries on hip replacement surgery, reach out to Daniel J. Albright, MD—a Board-certified orthopedic surgeon specialized in the anterior approach. Call (919) 863-6808 for appointments in Raleigh, NC.
