Follow-up physical therapy usually is needed after you leave the hospital. Initially this will be done in your home or a rehabilitation facility if you choose go to there then possibly followed by outpatient physical therapy. You’ll come to our office in two weeks to have the staples removed and then at 6 weeks to make sure the implant is still correctly in place. Full recovery typically takes 3-6 months.
Total
Hip Replacement
Total Hip Replacement
Hip pain is caused when the cushioning in the hip joint deteriorates so that your hip is now bone on bone which is causing the pain. There is nothing that can be done to replace the cushioning. It is a permanent problem that can only get worse. Fortunately hip surgery is extremely successful in relieving pain and returning you to normal functioning.
Usually pain that is in your groin or the front part of the hip means you are a candidate for hip surgery. We look at your x-ray to see if the image on the x-ray correlates with the pain you are having. You can try using soft soled shoes or anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain. Cortisone injections for the hip are difficult because of the location of the hip joint. If these do not work and the pain is intolerable, total hip surgery is your only option for pain relief.
When possible the anterior approach is my preferred option for a total hip replacement. The surgery is done from in front of the hip rather than in the side or back, like in traditional hip replacements. Each patient is evaluated on an individually basis to determine which approach is best for them. Typically about 80% of my patients qualify for the anterior approach.
Yes we can perform a knee and hip replacement at the same time. Please talk to us about this possibility at your appointment.
The surgery typically takes about an hour. You’ll recover in our surgery suite until you are awake from the anesthesia and your vital signs are good. Our Care Team members will then move you to our Joint Replacement Center where you will stay until you are discharged.
You will typically spend one to two days in the Joint Replacement Center and receive physical therapy to prepare you to return home. Normally on the first day you will be able to have full weight bearing exercise with a walker followed a few days or a week later with a cane. In some cases patients elect to go to a rehabilitation facility after surgery if they do not have help at home to assist in their recovery.