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In the hip joint, there is a layer of smooth cartilage on the upper end of the femur (thighbone) called the femoral head. The femoral head fits within a cup portion of the pelvis bone called the acetabulum. This cartilage serves as a cushion and allows for smooth hip motion. Arthritis is wearing away this smooth cartilage. Eventually it wears down to bone. Rubbing of bone against bone causes discomfort, swelling, and stiffness.
A hip replacement is really a cartilage replacement with an artificial surface. The hip itself is not replaced, as commonly thought. A replacement is done with a ball-and-stem component on the femur and a plastic cup fitted into a metal shell in the acetabulum. This creates a new smooth cushion and a functioning joint that does not hurt.
Ninety to ninety-five percent (90-95%) of patients achieve good to excellent results with relief of discomfort and significantly increased activity and mobility
Your orthopedic surgeon will decide if you are a candidate for the surgery. This will be based on your history, exam, x-rays, and response to conservative treatment. The decision will then be yours.
Age is not a problem if you are in reasonable health and have the desire to continue living a productive, active life. You may be asked to see your personal physician for his/her opinion about your general health and readiness for surgery.
We expect 80-95% of hip replacements to last more than 25-30 years. However, there is no guarantee, and age and activity level can be a factor.  A second replacement may be performed if necessary.
The most common reason for failure is loosening of the artificial surface from the bone. Wearing of the plastic spacer may also result in the need for a new spacer.
Most surgeries go well, without any complications. To avoid these complications, we use antibiotics and blood thinners. We also take special precautions in the operating room to reduce the risk of infection and blood clots, such as using space suits and special stockings to pump blood through your legs. Complications can also occur to your skin, arteries, veins, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Overall, the complications rates are historically around 5%. Your surgeon has already discussed these with you during your visit, but if you have any further questions or concerns, please ask us at any time.
The goal is for you to be standing and walking on the day of your surgery.
After your surgeon has scheduled your surgery, a surgical scheduler in our office will contact you. They will send you the information in the mail detailing all of your upcoming appointments.
We reserve approximately 45-90 minutes for surgery. Some of this time is taken by the operating room staff to prepare for the surgery.
You may have discomfort following the surgery, but we will keep you comfortable with appropriate medication. We continually improve and refine our pain control methods to make you as comfortable as possible.  We use many methods to make you comfortable, such as medication and even relaxation techniques. We are there to help and fit the best method of pain relief to your specific needs.
Your orthopedic surgeon will do the surgery. An assistant often helps during the surgery.
Yes. For 1-2 weeks, we recommend that you use a walker, a cane, or crutches. The surgical scheduler will mail a prescription to your home. You may bring your own or a borrowed one if you have one available.
Yes. We ask that you plan to have someone stay with you around the clock for the first 2-3 days after surgery.
It is very normal for the hip to be warm and have a feeling of swelling. The hip will be warm for up to 6 months after the surgery.
A layer of stitches is placed just below the skin. This is in place of metal staples or outer sutures on your skin. Although this special plastic surgery type of suture makes your incision look better, it will dissolve, and sometimes, this causes fluid collections under and above the skin. Sometimes, during the dissolving process, there will be some redness and swelling. In some cases, this even forms a small amount of milky white fluid that looks like pus but is only the byproduct of the dissolving suture. If this occurs, wash the area with soap and water and cover with a large Band-Aid for 24 to 48 hours. Do not apply any gels or lotions to the area. After 48 hours, this area normally dries up by itself. However, if this worsens, contact our office.
The number one goal of surgery is to reduce your hip pain and attempt to improve your function.  Five percent of people notice a small difference. The second is to provide you with a stable hip that is not apt to dislocate. If the hip is not stable and is prone to dislocate, a longer implant may be needed.  The downside is some slight leg lengthening, but the benefit is stability. A majority of patients prior to surgery have some shortening of the leg as a result of their underlying hip arthritis or disease, and after surgery it may initially feel longer.  Most patients adjust to being equal over the first 3 months, and rarely is a shoe lift required.

You will have several check-up appointments following surgery:

  • Post-op
  • 2 weeks
  • 6 weeks
  • 14 weeks
Yes. High-impact activities, such as running, singles tennis, and basketball, are not recommended for three months. There are no restrictions beyond three months.
You are encouraged to participate in low-impact activities such as walking, dancing, golfing, hiking, swimming, bowling, and gardening. Most patients can return to stationary bike riding or elliptical machines in 3-4 weeks. Your physical therapist can answer specific questions about special exercises and machines.
Yes. You may have a small area of numbness to the outside of the scar that may last a year or more, and is not serious. Sometimes, this numbness is permanent. In addition, most patients have some swelling and warmth to the hip and leg that may last up to one year. However, this swelling is usually not associated with any pain.

Swelling and bruising occurs about 3-6 days after surgery is normal. This is due to ecchymosis (bruising) produced during the surgery itself working its way to the surface of the skin where it is visible. This is normal, and will subside in about 1-3 months. During this time after surgery, it is very important to elevate the leg to reduce the symptoms.  You should continue to use ice.  If you notice any increasing calf pain, please call our office as soon as possible. Occasionally, patients will notice some blisters on their surgical leg during the period of maximum swelling. This is because there is no room available for the swelling and fluid to go within the skin and therefore pockets (or blisters) form. These should not be popped. If they pop on their own, cleanse them with warm soapy water and leave them open to air. If you have any concerns of infection, contact us immediately.

Yes, the Discharge Planner at the hospital will arrange for physical therapy to be provided in your home or with a local physical therapist.  Most patients choose to have therapy at our office. Generally patients will go to therapy 2-3 times per week. The length of time required for this type of therapy varies with each patient.
The ability to drive depends on whether surgery was on your right hip or your left hip, and the type of car you have. If the surgery was on your left hip and you have an automatic transmission, you could be driving at three weeks. If your surgery was on your right hip, your driving could be restricted for six weeks. When you start to drive again, please practice first with someone else in the car. One option is to have someone drive you to an empty parking lot where you can practice parking, pulling out and braking in a safe environment. Drive on some side streets first and when you and your partner feel comfortable drive on some major streets when the weather is optimal.  You must be off all narcotic pain medications prior to driving.
We recommend that most people take at least one month off from work, unless their job is quite sedentary and they can go to work with crutches. However, some people require 6 to 12 weeks to return to more demanding work.
Any positional restrictions due to hip precautions are typically lifted 6 weeks after surgery.
You are encouraged to participate in low impact activities such as walking, dancing, golfing, hiking, swimming, bowling and gardening. Most patients can return to stationary bike riding or elliptical machines in 3-4 weeks. Treadmills may be used on a low speed and with no incline at 4 weeks or later. Weight machines are used with your therapist starting after the 4th week and continue till you are discharged. Your physical therapist can answer specific questions about special exercises and machines
Yes. You may have a small area of numbness to the outside of the scar that may last a year or more and is not serious.  Sometimes this numbness is permanent. Some patients notice some clicking when they move their hip. This is the result of the artificial surfaces coming together and is not serious. In addition, most patients have some swelling and warmth to the hip and leg that may last up to one year. However, this swelling is usually not associated with any pain.
Swelling and bruising, which occurs about 3-6 days after discharge from the hospital, is normal. This is due to the ecchymosis (or bruising) produced during the surgery itself working its way up to the surface of the skin where it is visible. This is normal, and will subside in about 4-6 weeks. During this time after surgery, it is very important to elevate the leg to reduce the symptoms. You should continue to use ice.   If you notice any increasing calf pain, please call our office as soon as possible. Occasionally patients will notice some blisters on their surgical leg at their period of maximum swelling. This is because there is no room available for the swelling and fluid to go within the skin and therefore pockets (or blisters) form. These should not be popped. If they pop on their own, cleanse them with warm soapy water and leave them open to air. Do not apply any creams or lotions over the blisters. If you have any concerns of infection, contact us immediately.
 
It is very normal for the hip to be warm and have a feeling of swelling. The hip will be warm for up to 6 months after the surgery. During this time, your body is forming a wall around the new hip replacement because it recognizes this as a foreign body. During this wall forming process, your hip will feel warm to the touch. It will also feel thicker and tense at times. All of this is also due to the body getting used to the new metal and plastic. Once the wall stops forming (usually 6 months), these symptoms will reduce.
A layer of stitches are placed just below the skin. This is in place of metal staples or outer sutures on your skin. Although this special plastic surgery type of suture makes your incision look better, it will dissolve and sometimes, this causes fluid collections under and above the skin. Sometimes, during the dissolving process, there will be some redness and swelling. In some cases, this even forms a small amount of milky white fluid that looks like pus but is only the byproduct of the dissolving suture. If this occurs, wash out the area with antibacterial soap and water and cover with a large Band-Aid for 24 to 48 hrs. Do not apply any gels or lotions to the area. After 48 hrs, this area normally dries up by itself. However, if this worsens, contact our office.
The number one goal of surgery is to reduce your hip pain and attempt to improve your function. The second is to provide you with a stable hip that is not apt to dislocate. If the hip is not stable and is prone to dislocate, a longer implant may be needed. The downside is some slight leg lengthening, but the benefit is stability. A majority of patients prior to surgery have some shortening of the leg as a result of their underlying hip arthritis or disease, and even if the leg length is very close it initially after surgery this feels longer. Most patients adjust to any difference over the first 3 months and rarely is a shoe lift required.

// Why Make An Appointment With Us

Our practice is called Advanced Orthopedic Specialists for a reason. A Specialist in orthopedics implies that the physician has had fellowship training. Orthopedic surgeons attend 4 years of undergraduate college, 4 years of medical school and 5 years of residency training in general orthopedic surgery. Fellowship training is an additional year of training to specialize in a specific field of orthopedics. All of the doctors at AOS are fellowship trained, offering patients the best educated physicians to help address their problem.

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