More than 30 million American adults are living with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, is one of many different types. It’s common as you get older, because it develops over the years as your joints break down with use.
Arthritis makes joints painful, swollen, and stiff — and one in four people with arthritis say their pain is severe. It can affect almost any joint in your body, but it’s especially common in weight-bearing joints like your hips.
When hip arthritis restricts your mobility and keeps you from enjoying your favorite activities, it’s time to find a treatment plan that works. Hip specialist Craig Dushey, MD, and our team at Manhattan Orthopedics specialize in arthritis, and we offer top-tier treatments ranging from physical therapy to hip joint replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis develops slowly over time. Damage may start with an injury or overuse, or it may be due to natural deterioration in your joint.
Healthy, younger joints have slick layers of cartilage to cushion bones, but osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to harden and deteriorate. As cartilage wears away, bones begin to grind against one another, and you experience the characteristic pain, swelling, and stiffness of arthritis.
Arthritis treatment generally starts with conservative, nonsurgical interventions. Pain medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments can be effective in reducing pain and swelling for many people.
But, osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. That means that joint damage — and your symptoms — often get worse over time. Severe arthritis can restrict your daily activities and the pain can keep you up at night. Eventually, you might find that conservative treatments don’t make a significant difference for your pain.
If your daily life is limited by arthritis pain, and you don’t find relief with nonsurgical treatment options, it’s time to consider hip replacement surgery. Dr. Dushey may recommend hip replacement if you:
Most people who are in generally good health but who are living with severe arthritis pain are good candidates for hip replacement surgery.
If you choose hip replacement, Dr. Dushey and our team help you understand what to expect. The surgery itself generally takes several hours, and you’re under general anesthesia throughout the procedure.
Dr.Dushey makes small incisions around your hip to access the joint, and he uses specialized tools to remove damaged tissue. He places the prosthetic joint and closes your incisions, and then you’re moved to a recovery room.
Expect to spend a few days in the hospital following hip replacement. Shortly after you wake from surgery, we may encourage you to get up and use a walker to move around. You’ll start rehabilitation and physical therapy before you leave the hospital.
Hip replacement is major surgery, but many people are surprised to find that recovery is fairly quick. You may notice an immediate decrease in your joint pain, as well as significant improvements within the first few months with the help of physical therapy.
If you had severe arthritic joint damage, hip replacement surgery can deliver lasting pain relief. Find out if you’re a candidate by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Dushey. Call the office nearest you or request an appointment using our online tool.
