Expert hip replacement surgery at TRIA

Whether it’s for work or for having fun, our hips are involved in almost everything we do. But over time and with use, our hip joints can wear or become damaged. This can keep us from doing things like a favorite yoga class, or even just walking up a flight of stairs.

If hip pain and stiffness are keeping you from the things you love, it might be time to consider a hip replacement. Our team of orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and hip experts are some of the best in the Midwest. People travel from all over the country to get the high-quality care we offer at TRIA.

With the latest in surgery and rehabilitation techniques, we help our patients recover quickly and comfortably. In fact, many of our patients are able to return home the same day as their surgery. Our surgeons will work with you to create a personalized care plan to help you move with comfort and confidence again.

Our hips are protected by a rubbery tissue called cartilage, which helps the parts of your hip move smoothly and comfortably. As the cartilage wears out or becomes damaged, moving your hips can become painful. An artificial hip removes and replaces the damaged parts of your hip so your joint functions normally, alleviating pain and stiffness.

We’ll only guide you toward a hip replacement if nonsurgical treatments aren’t effectively managing your painful symptoms. Hip replacements may be recommended if you have severe cases of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, certain types of fractures, or other conditions that cause the hips to wear out.

The best way to know if you need a hip replacement is to talk to an orthopedist. It may be time to talk to a doctor about hip replacement options if you notice any of these symptoms:

• You can’t manage your hip pain with nonsurgical treatments
• Your hip pain is becoming more intense and more frequent
• Your hip pain is making it difficult for you to do normal, daily activities (climbing the stairs, getting up from sitting, walking normal distances)
• You notice stiffness after extended sitting, like in a car or at a movie theater
• You’re not able to do the things you love

Hip replacement surgeries we perform include:

For a partial hip replacement, sometimes called a hip hemiarthroplasty, only half of the hip joint is replaced. During this procedure, we replace the thigh bone and femoral ball (the portion of the thigh bone that goes inside the hip socket) with prosthetics. But unlike with a total hip replacement, the hip socket stays intact.

A partial hip replacement surgery may be the best choice for you if you have healthy cartilage in the hip joint and minimal signs of arthritis. We typically recommend partial hip replacements for repairing certain types of hip fractures.

Recovery from a partial hip replacement is similar to a total hip replacement, but usually takes a little longer due to the natural and artificial components in the hip. You should be able to walk without a supportive device within 3-4 weeks after surgery. Expect it to take about 6-8 weeks before you can resume normal household activities.

A total hip replacement is performed when the entire hip joint needs to be replaced with artificial components. During the procedure, we remove the damaged cartilage and replace it with a new hip socket and ball joint. This is used when the cartilage in the hip is severely damaged by osteoarthritis or other conditions.

Most patients are able to walk the day of surgery. It normally takes about 3-6 weeks to resume normal household activities and about 12 weeks to resume recreational activities like bicycling or golfing.

Similar to how our natural hip bones experience wear and tear, the original components used in a hip replacement can also break down. When this happens, we may recommend revision hip replacement surgery to exchange the worn components with new ones. In rare cases, a revision surgery may be needed to correct complications from an infection or if the first hip replacement didn’t go as planned.

In many cases, our patients go home the same day or the day after surgery. You’ll likely be able to walk with the help of an assistive device like crutches or a walker.

The amount of time it takes you to recover from your hip replacement surgery depends on many different factors, including the type of hip replacement you have, your overall physical health and your level of mobility. Typically, our patients will be able to walk without an assistive device about 3-4 weeks after their procedure and return to normal activities within a few months.

You’ll work closely with your orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist and other members of your care team to make sure you’re healing as expected. We’ll be there to help you throughout the entire recovery.

Exercise is an important part of hip replacement recovery. You may work with a physical therapist after your hip replacement surgery.

A physical therapist can lead you through exercises, use manual therapy, and teach you how to move comfortably and confidently on your new hip. Our patients usually have sessions with our physical therapists for the first three months after surgery. Your personalized physical therapy plan will help you build strength and mobility so you can get the most out of your new hip for years to come.