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- What Is a Total Hip Replacement?
- Types of Total Hip Replacement Procedures
- What Does a Total Hip Replacement Mean?
- Symptoms That May Lead to Hip Replacement
- Causes of Hip Joint Damage
- Diagnosing the Need for Hip Replacement
- Total Hip Replacement Treatment and Recovery
- Why Physical Therapy Matters
- Contact Us
A total hip replacement is a surgical procedure designed to relieve pain and restore function in a damaged hip joint. This procedure involves replacing worn or injured portions of the hip joint with artificial components to restore smooth joint motion. Hip degeneration can significantly affect mobility, independence, and quality of life over time. Understanding what total hip replacement involves and how recovery is managed can help you make informed decisions about your care. Read more to learn when hip replacement may be recommended and what treatment and rehabilitation typically involve.
What Is a Total Hip Replacement?
A total hip replacement involves removing damaged cartilage and bone from the hip joint and replacing them with prosthetics. The procedure replaces both the ball (femoral head) of the thighbone and the socket (acetabulum) of the pelvis. These components are designed to reduce pain, improve joint mechanics, and restore functional movement, especially when non-surgical hip pain treatment options are no longer effective.
Types of Total Hip Replacement Procedures
Total Hip Arthroplasty
This is the most common form of hip replacement and involves replacing both the hip socket and the femoral head with artificial components.
Partial Hip Replacement
In some cases, only the femoral head is replaced. This approach is less common and typically used for specific fractures.
What Does a Total Hip Replacement Mean?
A recommendation for total hip replacement surgery generally indicates that the hip joint has sustained significant damage that no longer responds to conservative treatments. This damage often interferes with daily activities and overall mobility, making surgery the best option to restore function.
Symptoms That May Lead to Hip Replacement
- Chronic hip pain or groin pain
- Pain that worsens with walking, standing, or weight-bearing
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Difficulty performing daily activities such as climbing stairs or getting dressed
- Pain that continues despite rest, medication, or physical therapy
Causes of Hip Joint Damage
Osteoarthritis
Gradual wear of the cartilage in the hip joint can lead to bone-on-bone contact, causing pain and stiffness.
Inflammatory Conditions
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can damage joint surfaces and accelerate hip degeneration.
Trauma or Fracture
Serious hip injuries or fractures may compromise joint integrity and lead to long-term dysfunction.
Avascular Necrosis
Reduced blood supply to the femoral head can cause bone tissue to collapse, damaging the joint.
Diagnosing the Need for Hip Replacement
A diagnosis typically begins with a thorough examination and review of your symptoms and activity limitations. Imaging, such as X-rays or MRI scans, helps assess joint damage and alignment. It is important to note that imaging findings alone do not always determine the need for an artificial hip; treatment decisions are based on symptoms, functional limitations, and response to conservative care.
Total Hip Replacement Treatment and Recovery
Total hip surgery aims to reduce pain and restore mobility by replacing the damaged hip bone with a durable hip implant that functions as a new hip joint. The procedure is typically performed in a hospital or surgery center, and you are monitored before being released. You may experience hip swelling after surgery and mild hip stiffness after surgery, making physical therapy important to minimize your hip replacement recovery time. Following surgery, rehabilitation with a physical therapist is a critical component of joint replacement recovery. Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, flexibility, balance, and walking mechanics. Recovery timelines vary, but most patients gradually resume daily activities with improved comfort and function.
Why Physical Therapy Matters
Physical therapy for hip replacement plays a vital role both before and after surgery. Pre-surgical therapy can help improve strength and mobility, while post-surgical rehabilitation promotes proper healing and a safe return to activity. A structured hip replacement rehabilitation plan includes guided strengthening, mobility work, and balance training, along with hip replacement rehabilitation exercises and home exercises after hip replacement to support continued progress. Over time, patients learn the best exercises after hip replacement to safely rebuild strength and function.
Contact Us
If hip pain or mobility limitations are affecting your daily life, contact Resilient Performance Physical Therapy in NY, NJ, and CT by completing the online contact form to schedule an appointment. Our team works closely with patients before and after total hip replacement to support recovery, restore movement, and help you return to the activities that matter most to you.
