If you are experiencing hip pain, Dr. Hicken will most likely recommend medications, injection therapy, or physical therapy to help get your symptoms under control. If these forms of treatment do not help, he may recommend a hip replacement.
What is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement is a type of joint reconstruction surgery in which an orthopaedic surgeon replaces the damaged hip joint with bio-grade prosthetic materials. In the case that you undergo a hip replacement, Dr. Hicken will first assess the hip, determine what implants to use, and decide which surgical approach to recommend to you for your condition.
People who suffer from arthritis, injury, necrosis, and tumors in the hip are likely to benefit from this surgery. If medications, therapy, walking aids, joint injections, and other conservative treatments are ineffective for relieving your hip pain, you may need hip replacement surgery.
Major Types of Hip Replacement Surgery
Depending on the damaged areas needing prosthetic materials, Dr. Hicken may recommend different forms of hip replacement. Things considered to determine which time of procedure would suit you include condition, age, and lifestyle.
- Total Hip Replacement Surgery. This is the most common hip replacement surgery. This procedure involves replacing both the hip socket and ball with metal and plastic implants that fit together to create a new hip joint.
- Partial Hip Replacement Surgery. A partial hip replacement, also called hemiarthroplasty, only replaces the hip socket with an artificial implant. The hip ball is left in place and resurfaced with a metal covering. This type of hip replacement surgery is less common than total hip replacement surgery but may be recommended for younger patients who are likely to require a full hip replacement later in life.
- Revision Hip Surgery. If hip replacement surgery fails or if complications develop, revision hip surgery may be necessary. Revision hip surgery is a more complex procedure than primary hip replacement and often requires unique implants.
Approaches to Hip Replacement Surgery
Hip replacement approaches are the different ways in which Dr. Hicken may perform the surgery and create a window into the hip joint. There are three common ways to access the hip joint from different angles:
- An anterior approach accesses the hip joint from the front.
- A lateral approach, which accesses the hip joint from the side.
- A posterior approach, which accesses the hip joint from the back. This is the most popular approach in hip replacement surgery.
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, contact Dr. Hicken at his office today to schedule a consultation. He will go over your options with you and help you make the best decision for your hip health.
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