Our hips play an important role in everyday life, allowing us to walk, run, climb, and perform other routine movements. However, these day-to-day tasks can become a challenge when a hip replacement fails or an existing medical condition has severely damaged the hip joint. At High Mountain Orthopedics, we offer several hip procedures, including total hip surgery, for patients in the Wayne, Paramus, and Englewood areas in New Jersey. Here, we describe a few reasons to consider a total hip replacement or hip revision.
Existing Medical Conditions
One of the first things to consider is an existing medical condition that adversely affects your hip. Any disease or condition that reduces your range of motion and causes pain, swelling, or stiffness may be alleviated or eliminated with a total hip replacement. Here are a few examples of conditions or diseases that typically merit a total hip replacement:
- Osteoarthritis (OA): This is a relatively common joint condition that is often caused by everyday wear and tear over time.
- Osteonecrosis: Although osteonecrosis can develop in other bones, one of the most common areas is the hip. It develops when the femoral head isn’t receiving enough blood as a result of a fracture or dislocation and causes the bone to collapse or deform.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): This condition also can be treated with a total hip replacement. RA is caused by a hyperactive immune system, and the inflammation it causes damages cartilage and is known to cause joint deformity.
When Non-Surgical Options Don’t Work
Another reason to consider total hip replacement or hip revision surgery is if non-surgical treatment options are unable to help you manage the pain and discomfort you’re experiencing. As pain and mobility challenges develop, you may experience difficulties with the following tasks:
- Ascending/descending stairs
- Dressing yourself
- Walking or jogging
- Sleeping through the night
- Standing from a seated position
Many of the movements that come naturally can be significantly impeded when non-surgical pain management methods become ineffective. If you find yourself in this situation and want relief, speak with your primary care physician about surgical options.
Failure of a Previous Replacement
If you’ve already received surgical treatment for a hip injury, hip revision surgery may be the next course of treatment. While fractures and dislocations typically cause joint issues, several other factors can complicate an existing replacement. Although these hip replacements are artificial, they’re still subject to infection and wear-and-tear. If the pain returns 10 to 15 years after your initial replacement, it may be time to consider a hip revision. A failing replacement can cause:
- Regular dislocations
- Tissue infection near the site of the replacement
- Relapse of pain and loss of mobility
Explore Surgical Options at High Mountain Orthopedics
At High Mountain Orthopedics, we offer total hip surgery and hip revision surgery to those living in the Wayne, Paramus, and Englewood, New Jersey, areas. Our experienced surgeons, Dr. Matarese and Dr. Novack, perform these and other procedures in our state-of-the-art medical facility with the help of our supporting medical staff. If you’re experiencing severe pain in your hip, or suspect your hip replacement is failing, contact us today to schedule an office or telemedicine appointment.