What is total hip replacement?
In total hip replacement surgery, Dr. Weber removes your damaged hip joint and replaces it with a new artificial ball-and-socket joint. Total hip replacement is one of the most common types of joint replacement today.
When would I need total hip replacement?
The leading reason for needing total hip replacement is hip arthritis. Nine out of 10 hip replacement candidates have osteoarthritis, but rheumatoid and post-traumatic arthritis can occur within the hip joint as well.
Osteonecrosis, in which an injury or disease interrupts blood supply to part of your hip joint, can also cause joint damage requiring a total hip replacement.
Total hip replacement is a big decision. In general, Dr. Weber only recommends this type of surgery if you've already tried more conservative treatments and have chronic activity-limiting hip pain and stiffness.
What does total hip replacement involve?
Dr. Weber prepares your hip socket by removing your damaged cartilage and some of the bone underneath. He molds the surface to fit your implant. He removes the femoral head (the ball part of your joint) and prepares the center of the femur to hold the implant.
Next, Dr. Weber positions your hip socket implant onto the prepared space. He inserts the femoral stem into your femur and positions the new prosthetic femoral head at its end. To help your joint glide smoothly, Dr. Weber installs a plastic spacer.
Finally, Dr. Weber closes your incisions before moving you into recovery.
How painful is total hip replacement?
Thanks to advanced techniques and equipment, total hip replacement is more comfortable than ever before. Whenever possible, Dr. Weber uses minimally invasive methods for total hip replacement.
The minimally invasive approach includes smaller incisions, reduced tissue trauma, less pain, and shorter recovery. Dr. Weber performs many total hip replacements in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center, which allows for a same-day discharge.
Dr. Weber uses multimodal pain control to make your recovery even more comfortable, allowing you to focus on your physical therapy and recovery. Multimodal pain control combines medications to maximize their benefits while minimizing the side effects of taking too much of any one drug.
If you’re tired of suffering with hip pain and stiffness, total hip replacement could be what you’re looking for. Learn more by requesting your consultation online or calling Ian C. Weber, MD, today.
