Hip Replacement
Treatment for Chronic Hip Pain
A total hip replacement is a type of orthopedic surgery that involves removing the arthritic ball of the upper femur (thigh bone) as well as the damaged bone and cartilage from the hip socket. The ball is replaced with a metal or ceramic ball that is solidly affixed inside the femur. The socket is then replaced with a plastic, ceramic or metal liner that is generally housed inside a metal shell to create a smoothly functioning joint.
Why Get a Hip Replacement?
The most common condition that leads to the need for hip replacement surgery is osteoarthritis. Since this condition mainly affects the aging population, the average age for a hip replacement is between the ages of 50 and 80. As one of the most complex joint replacement surgeries, hip replacement should only be considered after less-invasive treatments such as physical therapy have been explored and proven unsuccessful.
What Are Some Signs That I May Need a Hip Replacement?
Chronic, long-term pain is hard to ignore as it affects every aspect of your life. It makes it difficult to perform daily activities, not to mention engaging in sports and other forms of exercise. If you have severe, debilitating osteoarthritis, other arthritic conditions, or have been diagnosed with avascular necrosis (AVN), or a hip fracture, a total hip replacement may be an appropriate treatment for your condition. Some other signs that you may need a hip replacement include:
- Your hip pain makes it difficult to walk, bend or stoop
- You manage your hip pain by limping or distributing your weight to the other side
- You need support from a cane or walker to relieve your hip pain
- Your hip pain keeps you awake or awakens you from sleep
- You have to keep increasing your intake of painkillers to manage your hip pain
- You have tried treatments such as exercise, stretching, massage, physical therapy and other treatments to manage the pain, but have been unsuccessful
Hip Replacement Surgery in New Jersey
As the largest health system in the state, RWJBarnabas Health offers the
latest advancements in technology to our patients in New Jersey and the
surrounding communities. Our highly skilled orthopedic surgeons, physicians,
physician assistants, nurse practitioners, care coordinators and medical
professionals provide compassionate care, adhering to the most strident
medical practices.
Due to the use of surgical robots and other technological developments in the past few decades, hip replacement surgery has become more and more prevalent across the nation. Options now go beyond the traditional total hip replacement procedure, which requires longer recovery times due to its more invasive nature. With access to these latest technologies, the skilled surgeons at RWJBarnabas Health can perform minimally invasive hip replacement procedures whenever possible.
We offer robotic-assisted surgery including MAKOplasty, a modern technology that allows surgeons to use a surgical robot and camera to view and perform highly precise and minimally invasive hip replacement procedures. Using smaller incisions, we can perform procedures that are associated with less discomfort and shorter recovery times, which gets our patients back to living more comfortable, more active lives.
Procedures We Perform
Some of the hip replacement surgeries performed at RWJBarnabas Health include:
- Anterior approach hip replacement. In this procedure, surgeons access the hip through an incision in the front of the hip. This approach avoids the gluteal muscles and allows your surgeon to access the joint through the naturally occurring space between muscles. This less-invasive approach allows patients to bend their hips freely, right after surgery.
- Posterior and mini-posterior approach total hip replacement. This highly successful approach to hip surgery provides the surgeon with a clear view of the diseased portions of the joint as they perform the operation. The mini-posterior approach also allows for a quick, less painful recovery.
- Hip resurfacing. In this procedure, the damaged and arthritic components of the hip are cut out and replaced with artificial parts made of metal. Portions of the femoral head are preserved and prepared for the placement of the implant.
- Hip revision surgery. When hip replacements fail, they may need to be replaced, in whole or in part. Sometimes older parts wear out or cause wear on the bones, or infection. Hip revision surgery is surgery in which part or all of the prosthetic joint parts from a previous hip replacement are replaced with newer components. At RWJBarnabas Health facilities, our highly skilled, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons are experts in performing this complex procedure.
The RWJBarnabas Health Difference
Our team is here for you. We counsel our patients to explore therapies and minimally invasive techniques before recommending a hip replacement. If a hip replacement is the right choice for you, we educate you on the pros and cons of surgery and recommend the most minimally invasive paths to recovery whenever possible. If you are a candidate for hip surgery, we will be by your side through the entire process to help you with pre-surgery preparation and post-procedure recovery.
Is hip replacement right for you? Make an appointment with our compassionate orthopedic team today to find out.