Hip Replacement
Total Hip Replacement Surgery Columbia, SC
Hip Replacement Overview
Having a hard time doing the things you love because of hip pain? Midlands Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery has hip specialists who can help you finally feel better. If you have pain and trouble moving your hip because of osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or a broken hip joint, you may be a good candidate for a total hip replacement.
Total Hip Replacement Procedure
During a total hip replacement, the broken parts of the hip joint are taken out and replaced with artificial parts. This means that parts of the socket and the upper leg bone (the femur) will need to be replaced.
Usually, the femoral head, which is the rounded end of the femur that sits in the hip socket, is taken off and replaced with a metal stem that fits into the rest of the femur. The femoral head is replaced by a metal or ceramic ball at the end of the metal stem.
The damaged cartilage on the socket’s surface is removed and a metal socket is placed. A metal, plastic, or clay spacer is put between the new ball and socket to ensure they move smoothly.
What Does a Total Hip Replacement Treat?
It helps treat:
- Avascular necrosis
- Hip injuries
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid joint disease
- Arthritis caused by an accident
- And more!
This treatment might be suggested if:
- Nonsurgical and slightly invasive treatments do not help with the symptoms
- Symptoms make it hard to do normal things and lower the quality of life
Patients who are good candidates for surgery are generally healthy and don’t have any injuries or illnesses that could hurt the results. Age can be a factor because implants normally last between 20 and 30 years and are hard to replace. Most of the candidates are over 55.
Total Hip Replacement Recovery
The day after your surgery, you’ll start working with a physical therapist who will help you get up and moving with your new hip. Moving around is an important part of getting better after a hip replacement.
You’ll start out using a walker or crutches to move around, and then you’ll work up to walking without them. You should be able to leave the hospital in about 3 days, give or take, based on how well you do after surgery.
You will need help at home to get through the next few weeks while you are healing. You won’t be able to drive for three to six weeks, so make sure you have someone who can take you to follow-up visits, run errands, and more.
You will continue physical therapy both at your appointments and at home. This will be a big part of how long it takes you to get better, and it will depend on how well you participate in your appointments and do the “homework” your therapist gives you.
By the end of 10 weeks, you should feel like yourself again and be able to fully enjoy the freedom your new hip gives you without pain.
Total Hip Replacement in South Carolina
The doctors and physical therapists at Midlands Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery will make sure you get the best care possible so you can feel better as soon as possible after your hip replacement surgery. Set up your consultation today.
