Hip Replacement Surgery in Dallas, Frisco, Plano, and Wylie TX

What to Expect from Hip Replacement Surgery

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Hip Joint Anatomy

To better understand the need for hip replacement surgery, we must first understand the anatomy of the hip joint. The hip is one of the most commonly replaced joints. In essence, the hip is a ball and socket joint that allows us to move our legs and bend and straighten our bodies. The surfaces of the bones in our hip joint are covered with articular cartilage. This is a strong, smooth cover that cushions the ends of our bones and allows them to move easily.

The remaining surfaces of our hip joint are covered with synovial membranes. This smooth, thin tissue secretes synovial fluid that lubricates the joint and eliminates bone friction.

The hip is one of our body’s largest weight-bearing joints. The primary function of the hip joint is to support the weight of our head, trunk, and arms. It provides a base of support that allows us to hold our body upright when we sit or stand and provides stability for our upper body while positioning the lower body for movement. It also allows our legs to move to the front, back, and side to side, as well as rotate inward and outward as we walk, run, climb stairs, and more.

You see now the importance of the hip joint in our body. It serves many purposes and allows us to complete everyday tasks that would otherwise be next to impossible without it. When the hip joint is no longer properly working, the limits placed on our life become significant. That is why the need for hip replacement surgery is so substantial.

What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?

During hip replacement surgeries, orthopaedic surgeons remove damaged or diseased parts of the hip joint. They replace these parts with artificial hip implants that mimic the functions of the original hip joint, usually allowing patients at least 10 more years of functionality. This surgical procedure can allow a patient with difficulty getting around more freedom with a new hip joint.

How Do You Know If You Need a Hip Replacement?

While only a doctor can explicitly recommend hip replacement surgery, it’s important for patients to watch for certain symptoms. These symptoms, if not caused by something else, may signal the need for a hip replacement operation. If you experience any of the following symptoms in your hip joint, relay them to your doctor right away.

Pain and stiffness related to physical activity
Recurring or persistent pain around or in the hip joint
Discomfort, pain, and immobility that increase with time from a hip fracture or other injury
Difficulty doing normal exercises
Noticeable changes in the function or feeling of the hip joint
Sleep disturbed by pain and discomfort

The above list is not exhaustive of all that can suggest the need for a hip implant. Some patients also experience pain that is not isolated to the hip area. They may also feel referred pain in their back, knee, or around the thigh bone.

What Are the First Signs of Needing a Hip Replacement?

Osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis, is the main reason for hip replacement surgery. Other conditions, including trauma and hip fractures, may also cause the need for hip replacement.

Arthritis is a progressive and degenerative disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can occur for many reasons, including aging, wear and tear, injury, disease, and developmental abnormalities of the hip structure.

There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are the types of arthritis that most frequently develop in the hip. Arthritis causes the protective cartilage in the hip to wear away, which can cause painful bone-on-bone rubbing.

As one’s arthritis progresses and becomes more severe, medication, rest, and physical therapy may fail to relieve the symptoms. Hip arthroplasty is recommended when non-surgical treatments do not relieve your symptoms.

What Are the Types of Hip Replacement Surgery?

As one of the most popular types of joint replacement surgery, hip replacements are fairly common in the United States. According to projections from the National Library of Medicine, an estimated 850,000 people are expected to undergo this procedure annually by 2030. Below, we outline the different types of hip replacements that will make up these numbers.

Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which the entire hip joint is removed. This includes both the ball and socket of the joint. Total hip replacement surgery may be preferred over other methods if the damage or deterioration to the patient’s hip is significant. This surgery is also called “total hip arthroplasty.”

Partial Hip Replacement

During a partial hip replacement, the orthopaedic surgeon only replaces the ball of the hip joint, which is the femoral head. Having a partial hip replacement implant is common in elderly patients who suffered trauma during a fall.

Hip Resurfacing

If someone is young and has strong bones, it may be excessive for them to undergo total hip replacement or partial hip replacement. In this case, the orthopedic surgeon could remove only part of the bone rather than the entire ball or socket. This technique is known as hip resurfacing. Although not as common as partial and total hip replacement, hip resurfacing is a valid treatment option for some patients.

Posterior vs Anterior Hip Replacement Approach

It’s also important to note that there are two different surgical approaches that a surgeon could take to access the hip. Depending on the needs of each patient and their surgeon’s preference, they can perform the operation from either the front or back of the hip bone. These are known as the anterior and posterior approaches, respectively.

During a posterior approach, your orthopedic surgeon will access the hip joint from an area behind your femur (thighbone). With this approach, the surgeon won’t cut any muscles. This can lead to a decreased recovery time.

During an anterior approach, your orthopaedic surgeon accesses the joint through the front of the hip. This technique aims to minimize damage to the surrounding tissue and muscles. In some cases, the surgeon may cut through muscle, while in others, they will not. This technique is also called direct anterior hip replacement.

The only way to know which strategy or approach is right for your situation is to consult with a skilled orthopaedic surgeon about your situation.

How to Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery

Before any major surgery, it’s important for patients to know how to prepare. We will likely schedule preoperative appointments with you for medical evaluations, testing, imaging, and more. Be sure to attend these appointments, as this allows us to determine when your body is physically ready for the surgery.

Before undergoing your surgical procedure, we recommend taking the following steps to make your recovery process easier.

Prepare your home: This is one of the most important preparations for those undergoing a joint replacement. Your mobility will be significantly lower during the early stages of recovery. We recommend installing a shower chair and toilet seat lift, lowering the height of your bed, gathering all essential items and putting them within easy reach, meal-prepping, and removing all trip hazards.
Stop smoking and drinking: Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol in the days leading up to your surgery could increase your risk of complications. Smoking specifically can prevent the body from healing properly, and drinking alcohol can increase the risk of bleeding or dehydration.
Ask someone for help: You will need someone to drive you to and from the hospital or surgery center, as you cannot drive yourself. Arrange for someone to help you with transportation and with the first few days of your recovery.
Schedule dental procedures early: If you have any upcoming dental procedures, schedule them at least six weeks in advance of your hip replacement. If germs and bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream, this could lead to infections of the hip prosthesis.
Modify your medications: Some medicines, such as blood thinners, can increase the risk of certain complications during surgery. Notify your surgeon of all medications and supplements you take. They will inform you if you should stop taking any of them.

Is Hip Replacement an Outpatient Procedure?

Yes, it can be. Partial and total hip replacement surgeries are both safe and effective outpatient procedures. Most patients will not need to stay in the hospital overnight. This is made possible by certain advancements in modern medicine, such as better anesthesia and pain control, better surgical techniques, improved surgery preparations, and better physical therapy.

Most patients, however, will likely have a short hospital stay after their procedure.

How Long Does Hip Replacement Surgery Take?

Hip arthroplasty involves removing your damaged joint and replacing it with a new joint. If it is done as an inpatient procedure, you will most likely be admitted to the hospital on the day of your surgery. You can expect to stay at the hospital for a few days after. The procedure itself typically takes one to two hours to complete, during which you will be anesthetized.

The most common types of anesthesia for the surgery are general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia. General anesthesia will put you to sleep, while spinal anesthesia will numb your body from the waist down. With spinal anesthesia, you will remain awake but sedated, so your memory will be fuzzy. Your doctor will help you decide which anesthesia is the best option for you.

What Are the Risks of Hip Replacement Surgery?

Every major surgery has risks, and it’s important to fully understand those risks before you commit to a procedure. It is rare for complications to arise during or after a hip arthroplasty. Some of the most notable complications include the following.

Infection
Bleeding
Nerve injury
Blood clots
Severe pain
Leg length discrepancy

Most of the above complications could occur in many other surgeries aside from hip replacements. Your surgeon will evaluate your situation and inform you of all possible complications before you undergo your surgery, which we call informed consent.

They will also inform you of what not to do after hip replacement surgery so that you will have as smooth a recovery as possible.

What to Expect During Hip Replacement Surgery

Your partial or total hip replacement will occur in either a hospital or surgery center. Many are performed as outpatient procedures, but some patients will stay in the hospital either overnight or for a few days.

Barring any complications, a typical hip replacement procedure will involve the following steps.

When you are taken to the operating room (OR), you will receive an IV line for fluids or medications. Some patients also have a urinary catheter.
The anesthesiologist will then administer anesthesia, which they should have discussed with you before the surgery. Patients generally receive either general or epidural anesthesia. This depends on the recommendations of your surgeon and anesthesiologist.
Your surgeon will then position you a certain way to easily access your hip joint. The location of the incision and operation depends on the surgical approach your doctor opts for.
If you are undergoing a partial replacement, the surgeon will remove the damaged or diseased femoral head (ball). If you are undergoing total hip arthroplasty, the surgeon removes both the femoral head and the acetabulum (socket). The hip implant will involve a metal stem and a metal or ceramic ball.
Your surgeon will then remove the damaged cartilage from the acetabulum and attach the cup surrounding the new joint.
To ensure proper functionality, your surgeon will move and bend your leg.
Once the procedure is completed, your incision will be closed with dissolvable stitches.
You will then be transferred to a recovery room to ensure your condition is stable before you go home.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Hip Replacement?

You may stay in the hospital for two to five days following your surgery, although many patients return home the same day as the procedure. You will receive pain medication to relieve pain during this time. A V-shaped pillow may be placed between your legs to position your hip while it heals. It is recommended that you sleep with this pillow between your legs for about six weeks.

Your physician temporarily restricts certain movements to prevent your artificial joint from dislocating. These movements may include crossing your legs, bending your hips at more than a 90-degree angle, and pointing your feet inward or outwards, depending on the surgical approach to your hip.

The success of your surgery will depend, in part, on how well you follow your instructions during the first few weeks following surgery. You may need help from another person during the first few days at home. If you do not have family members or friends nearby, ask your doctor about possible alternative arrangements.

You should be able to resume light activities soon after your procedure, but the total healing will take three to four months. Overall, most people experience a dramatic reduction of hip pain and gain the ability to resume functional activities in the months following hip arthroplasty.

Keep in mind that patients who undergo an anterior hip replacement surgery often have shorter recovery periods, as it is a minimally invasive surgery. Contact our Dallas orthopedic surgeons to find out if you are a good candidate for an anterior approach hip replacement.

What Is the Success Rate of Hip Replacement Surgery?

The success rate for hip replacement surgery is excellent, with more than 95% of patients having pain relief and increased mobility. Patients who undergo hip replacements can expect great results that last a long time.

How Long Do Hip Replacements Last?

Even as long as 10 years after the surgery, 90-95% of patients still benefit from their hip implants. After 20 years, around 80-85% of patients still have healthy, functional artificial hip replacements. Therefore, depending on each specific case, most hip replacements last from 10-20 years. Some may last even longer.

What Not To Do After Hip Replacement Surgery

You may have to change how you do some activities, such as bending, to protect your new hip. What not to do after hip replacement surgery includes crossing your legs at the knees, leaning forward while sitting, and bending at the waist beyond a 90-degree angle. You should also avoid bringing your knee up any higher than your new hip.

Many simple things may be of second nature to you that you should be wary of. For example, if you drop something, you need to be extremely careful when picking it up, and you should avoid picking something up off the floor while sitting down altogether. You also need to be extremely cautious when bending. Try not to turn your feet inward or outward excessively when doing so.

You should avoid high-impact sports, such as jogging, for the rest of your life. High-impact sports or weight gain can stress your artificial joint, causing it to loosen or wear faster. You must continue with your recommended exercise program to protect your hip and see better results.

Exercises After Hip Replacement Surgery

Your physician will create an exercise program to adhere to following your hip replacement surgery. Our Frisco and Dallas physical therapists will help you gain your hip mobility. It is important that you follow your exercise program and safety precautions when you return home. When you fully recover, you may resume many of your former activities.

Some of what may be included in your exercise program include the following.

Ankle Pumps
Quad Sets
Gluteal Sets
Abduction/Adduction
Heel Slides
Short Arc Quads
Long Arc Quads
Standing Mini Squats
Standing March
Ball Squeezes
Clams
Hip Hike
Bridges
Straight Leg Raises

It’s okay if you don’t know what some or all of these exercises are. Your physical therapist will explain each exercise and demonstrate how to execute them properly.

Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Physical or occupational therapy will begin the day after your surgery. At first, you will use a walker, cane, or crutches while standing and walking. Your physical therapist will help you walk and show you how to climb stairs carefully. You’ll also learn new ways to exercise to strengthen your hip.

An occupational therapist will show you ways to dress and bathe within the realm of your movement restrictions. Your therapists may also recommend durable medical equipment for your home, such as a raised toilet seat or a shower chair. The equipment makes it easier for you to take care of yourself as you heal and helps to prevent further injury.

Your therapists will also suggest ways to avoid and prevent falls in your home. This may simply mean removing throw rugs and ensuring your walking path is free of cords and clutter. You should also continue to use your durable medical equipment as advised.

Why Should I Choose SPORT for My Hip Replacement?

At SPORT, we take great pride in providing only the highest quality patient care. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are exceptionally skilled and compassionate toward patients and their needs. With decades of experience and a great supporting staff, your surgeon will have you back on your feet as quickly as possible.

Our qualified sports medicine doctors have performed countless joint replacements to help patients with a wide variety of problems. If you want the highest-quality medical care that the Dallas area has to offer, you’ve come to the right place.

Top Hip Replacement Surgeon in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, and Wylie

At SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons will perform your hip replacement. With years of experience and many successful surgeries in the Dallas area behind us, you will be back in the game in no time. If you need hip arthroplasty, schedule an appointment with our top orthopedic surgeons in Dallas today. You can contact us by calling 469-200-2832 or by completing our online intake form. We also accept walk-ins and offer Saturday hours.