Hip pain and stiffness can make everyday activities harder and affect your mobility and quality of life. Arthritis, injuries, and other hip problems can cause ongoing pain and limited movement despite treatment. If your symptoms continue to interfere with daily life, your physician may recommend seeing an orthopedic surgeon to explore other treatment options.
What are the signs you may need a hip replacement?
Hip replacement may be an option when pain, stiffness, and other symptoms interfere with daily life. Signs may include:
- Chronic or significant pain: Pain in the hip, groin, thigh, or buttocks that interferes with daily activities.
- Stiffness and limited movement: Difficulty bending, twisting, getting up from a chair, walking, or climbing stairs.
- Limping or difficulty walking: Needing a cane or walker to get around.
- Severe arthritis: X-rays or other imaging show significant joint damage or "bone-on-bone" arthritis.
- Other treatments are no longer helping: Physical therapy, exercise, injections, or medications do not provide enough relief.
- Pain is affecting your well-being: Ongoing hip pain is taking a toll emotionally or mentally, or pain medications are causing unwanted side effects.
Your body weight, overall health, activity level, and the condition of your hip will also be considered. "If these treatments no longer provide enough relief, we may discuss whether a total hip replacement is appropriate for you," says Erin F. Dunlap, MD, Orthopedics at ARC Far West, ARC Medical Park Tower Orthopedics, and ARC South Specialty. "Together, we'll consider your goals, lifestyle, and overall health to determine the treatment that will best support your mobility and quality of life."
Learn more about hip replacement at ARC.
What activities can you resume after undergoing hip replacement surgery?
Recovery after hip replacement takes time, but each step forward can bring you closer to getting back to the activities you enjoy. Physical therapy and regular exercise can help strengthen the muscles around your hip, improve movement, and build confidence as you recover.
Everyone recovers at their own pace, but recovery generally progresses through a few stages:
- Early recovery (first 2 to 4 weeks): Focus on walking, gradually increasing everyday activities, and working on strength and movement with guidance from your physical therapist.
- Returning to exercise and sports (around 6 weeks and beyond): As your recovery progresses, you may be able to resume more activities, depending on your strength, mobility, and comfort level.
Your surgeon will let you know when it is safe to resume specific activities and whether any should be modified. Following your recovery plan can help you safely regain strength and make the most of your new joint.
"For people living with chronic pain and limited mobility, hip replacement can be an important step toward getting back to everyday life," says Zachary L. McBeth, DO, Orthopedics at ARC Cedar Park Building B, ARC Greenlawn Specialty, and ARC Medical Park Tower Orthopedics. "With the right treatment, a thoughtful recovery plan, and regular movement, many people are able to return to an active lifestyle after surgery."
Hip care at ARC Orthopedics
When arthritis or other conditions affect your hips, ARC Orthopedics offers comprehensive care focused on helping you move more comfortably and maintaining your quality of life. Your orthopedic surgeon will work with you to consider all available treatment options to help relieve your pain and improve your joint function.
Surgical approaches to hip replacement
There are different approaches to hip replacement surgery, including the anterior hip replacement approach, which accesses the joint from the front. Some surgical techniques are designed to be minimally invasive and muscle-sparing, meaning they aim to limit disruption to surrounding muscles and other tissues. Robotic-assisted surgery is another option that can help surgeons plan and perform certain steps of the procedure. Your orthopedic surgeon can discuss which approach and techniques may be appropriate for you.
Learn more about hip care at ARC.
Schedule an appointment today
Dr. McBeth is accepting new patients ages 18 years and older. Dr. McBeth completed a Total Joint Replacement Fellowship from New England Baptist Hospital, Boston. He sees patients at ARC Cedar Park Building B, ARC Greenlawn Specialty in Round Rock, and ARC Medical Park Tower Orthopedics in Austin.
Dr. Dunlap is accepting new patients ages 45 years and older. Dr. Dunlap completed an Adult Joint Reconstruction Fellowship at Baylor Scott & White. She sees patients at ARC Far West, ARC Medical Park Tower Orthopedics, and ARC South Specialty in Austin.
To make an appointment with either, call 512-272-4636 (512-ARC-INFO) or book through ARC MyChart.