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Hip Replacement Surgery

What Are the Reasons for Hip Replacement Surgery?

Hip replacement surgery can help relieve hip pain, help a person’s hip joint work better and improve their walking. Before resorting to hip surgery, your doctor will likely recommend other options to decrease hip pain including, exercise, physical therapy, walking aids or medication.

Common reasons for hip replacement surgery include:

  • Injuries or fractures
  • Arthritis
  • Bone tumors
  • Diseases that cause the bone in joints to die

What are the Types of Hip Replacement Surgery?

Total Hip Replacement

A total hip replacement is a type of surgery that replaces your hip joint with an artificial one.

Hip Replacement with Anterior Approach

Hip replacements with an anterior approach are surgeries performed in front of the hip. Anterior hip replacement surgeries allow for smaller incisions at the front of the hip rather than the back or side. This type of surgery can have several advantages, like less pain, muscle trauma and easier recovery.

Posterior Hip Replacement

A posterior hip replacement involves a 4-6-inch incision along the outer buttock. Posterior hip replacement is more common than the anterior method in the United States but may result in longer recovery times for patients.

Hip Revision Surgery

With proper care, hip replacements often last for the rest of your life. But younger, more active people, or people who develop certain complications, may need hip replacement revision surgery. That’s where your original joint replacement needs to be removed and replaced in a more complex procedure than the first hip replacement.

No matter the approach, you can rest easy knowing the orthopedic surgeons at Banner will perform the best hip replacement method for you.

How to Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery

In order to prepare for your hip replacement surgery your doctor will discuss the risks of the surgery, suggest other appointments you’ll need to make, let you know what drugs you need to stop taking leading up to your surgery and inform you of what you should bring with you to the hospital.

Other specific instructions will be given to you ahead of time by your doctor depending on your condition.

Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery Time and Rehabilitation

As there’s an increased risk of blood clots in the legs after surgery, you’ll likely take increased measures to prevent complications, such as pressure application, blood-thinning medication or early mobilization.

A physical therapist will work with you to find some exercises that will help speed your recovery time. After your surgery, regular physical therapy and the help of a walking aid will help you regain strength to eventually put weight on the leg and walk without assistance.

Most people resume normal activities six-to-twelve weeks after hip surgery. Full recovery of strength will occur after six to twelve months.

Banner Health's comprehensive Total Hip Replacement Program provides our patients with a detailed roadmap on what to expect before, during and after your hip surgery. Additionally, our orthopedic navigators are available to answer questions and guide you through your surgical journey.