Arthritis can affect any joint, including the hip. Hip arthritis can cause pain and can reduce your range of motion, which makes it hard to perform daily tasks and activities – anything that involves standing and walking.
If you’ve been diagnosed with hip arthritis, your orthopedic doctor will likely start with conservative treatment options to address your hip pain and stiffness. Mild cases can be treated with rest, pain medication, and physical therapy, but hip pain that has become disabling may warrant surgery.
The type of surgery recommended to you will depend on several factors, including the extent of the damage and your overall health. Let’s talk about some of the most common surgical options for hip arthritis, and where you can go in North Dakota to finally find lasting relief from your hip pain.
Traditional Hip Replacement Surgery
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The top of the femur (thigh bone, in the upper leg) is ball-shaped, and this part is called the femoral head. The femoral head is held in place by a cup-shaped socket called the acetabulum, which is in the pelvic bone.
There are two types of total hip replacement (hip arthroplasty): partial and total.
In a total hip replacement, your doctor will remove both the damaged ball and socket. Then, the doctor will replace the entire joint with prosthetic components. The prosthetic is typically made of bio-grade metal, ceramic, plastic, or a combination of these materials. This implant will serve as your new hip joint.
In a partial hip replacement, your doctor will only replace the ball section (femoral head). Whether you have a partial or total hip replacement, most patients who undergo this procedure experience significant relief from the painful and debilitating symptoms.
Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery
An anterior hip replacement is a less invasive type of hip replacement surgery. Whereas a traditional hip replacement involves your surgeon making the incision from the side (lateral) or back (posterior) of the hip, an anterior hip replacement involves your surgeon making a smaller cut on the front (anterior) part of the hip.
This variant of hip replacement surgery keeps most of the muscles and ligaments intact, which is the biggest benefit as compared to traditional hip replacement. For patients, this means reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times. There’s also a reduced risk of hip dislocation, since this procedure preserves much of the surrounding tissues.
Despite its advantages, anterior hip replacement is not appropriate for all cases of hip arthritis. Your age, weight, and overall health are some of the factors that your doctor will take into consideration before deciding which surgery is most appropriate.
Hip Resurfacing
Hip resurfacing is much less invasive than a full hip replacement. During this procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will trim the damaged parts of cartilage and bone from the hip. Then, the doctor will place a metal cap over the trimmed bone and a metal shell in the hip socket. Unlike a hip replacement, which replaces the entire femoral head, hip resurfacing tries to preserve as much of the original bone as possible.
Hip resurfacing is usually recommended on younger and active individuals, since they have strong and healthy bones to withstand the procedure. People older than 65 are generally not good candidates for hip resurfacing and are likely to benefit much more from having a hip replacement instead.
Treatment for Hip Arthritis in North Dakota
If you would like to explore treatment options for your hip arthritis, visit The Bone & Joint Center. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic physicians will perform an evaluation of your hip condition and design a personalized treatment plan for you.
To schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding orthopedic doctors, call us today at (800) 424-2663 or fill out our online appointment request form. We have nine convenient locations throughout North Dakota in which to serve you, and we look forward to helping you get back to that active lifestyle you love.
