Is Hip Replacement Right For You?

Hip pain can be hard to deal with. Not only can it cause soreness, stiffness, and inflammation, but it can interfere with critical day-to-day activities like walking and moving. 

If you’ve suffered from hip pain for a long time, you may be considering surgery. But how do you know if hip replacement surgery is a good choice for you?

Pain Medication and Physical Therapy Don’t Work.

For some people, pain medication is an effective treatment in relieving hip pain. But medication can have unpleasant side effects, like sleeplessness and decreased appetite. It can also be addictive. It can be hard to tolerate these side effects, especially when medication doesn’t give you the relief you want.

Pain During Exercise

Soreness during or after exercise or pain that interferes with your daily activities could be a sign of hip arthritis. The pain is usually localised between your hip and knee. If the pain is lower down towards the ankle the problem might be caused by back problems.

Hip Pain When Walking

If hip or groin pain is preventing you from walking normal distances for you, then speak to a specialist.

For some, being able to walk comfortably to the postbox is sufficient. For others, not being able to complete a five-mile walk is unthinkable. It all depends on your lifestyle.

The One Leg Test

If you can’t stand on your problem leg for longer than a minute – even with the support of a door frame or table-top for balance, then you might have a problem with your hip. There are other exercises you can try at home to see if you could benefit from hip pain treatment.

Your Hip Joint is Damaged.

If your doctor has told you that your hip joint is deformed or damaged, it may be a good idea to consider hip replacement surgery. Damaged joints can get worse over time. If you wait too long, it may be harder for a doctor to fix them.

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119