Hip replacement is a common joint replacement procedure in Louisiana. If you suffer from hip arthritis then a hip replacement surgery might work for you. However, many people usually don’t know when the right time is to have this treatment. Plus, there is a lot of confusion about what to expect from this kind of surgery. Continue reading to learn more about this procedure so that you can make an informed decision.

Hip Arthritis Meaning and Diagnosis

Hip arthritis is the swelling of joints. There are several types of hip arthritis but the most common one is osteoarthritis which is mostly known as wear-and tear-arthritis. It wears away the smooth cartilage exposing your bare bone. Unfortunately, there is no single test for osteoarthritis diagnosis. Mostly, doctors diagnose it by an abnormal x-ray to show signs such as joint narrowing or spurring in the joint margins. A physical examination and a patient’s medical history will also be taken.

Often treatment is centered towards imrpoving an individual’s mobility as well as lifestyle. Treatment plans usually involve joint care, hip resurfacing for patients above 60, weight loss, using a cane to eliminate the weight of the affected hip, medications like acetaminophen, modifications to activity, and complementary therapies. However, if pain symptoms are not controlled with these non-surgical treatments, then one may consider hip replacement surgery. Now since this is a big decision, please take time and do your research independently before deciding.

More about Louisana Hip Replacements

A study revealed that 80% of hip replacements were still functioning correctly after 15 years of use in patients below 65 years and 94% in those who were 65. This surgery replaces the damaged joint with an implant made of titanium or stainless steel that acts like a normal hip. Now because they wear down frequently, hip replacements are usually not performed in young patients as doctors worry that the implants will wear out very quickly.

Well, hip replacements aren’t for everyone. That’s why they come as the last option for hip arthritis treatment if the non-surgical options don’t work. So even if you’re a candidate for hip replacement, we advise that you find out everything there is about this treatment before undertaking it.  Contact our office to schedule a consultation to see if this procedure is right for you.