Hip pain is hard to deal with. It can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It can also make it hard to do essential things like walking and moving.
If your hip has been bothering you for a long time, consider surgery. But how do you know if you need surgery to fix your hip?
How Do You Know You Need a Hip Replacement?
As with most types of care, you should try less invasive methods before surgery. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help ease hip pain, and walkers and crutches can help you get around and walk better.
But if physical therapy, exercise, and painkillers haven’t helped your hip pain or made it easier for you to move around, you might want to think about getting a hip replacement.
- Pain medicine and physical therapy don’t work
Some people who have hip pain find that taking painkillers helps. But medicines can have harmful side effects, like making you sleepy or less hungry. It can also turn into a routine. If the medication you take doesn’t help, it can be hard to deal with these side effects.
- Hip pain makes it hard to do everyday things
Does hip pain make it hard for you to walk, bend, shop, or go up or down stairs? Because of your hip pain, do you feel sad or angry most of the time? Here are some signs that you might need hip replacement surgery.
- Your hip hurts when you’re at rest
You can hurt your hip joints when you walk or go up and down stairs. Most hip pain goes away when you stop moving. But if your hip hurts when you rest during the day or at night, you should think about surgery.
Back or knee pain can sometimes cause pain in the hip area. When these things happen, hip replacement surgery won’t help. Instead, your doctor can numb your hip to figure out what is causing the pain. If your hip still hurts after that, it’s probably coming from your back or knee.
- Your hip joint is damaged
If your doctor says your hip joint is damaged or not in the right shape, consider getting a hip replacement. Damaged joints can get worse over time. If you wait too long, it may be harder for a doctor to help you.
- You have severe arthritis in your hip
There are different kinds of arthritis that can hurt your hip joints. Osteoarthritis is one of them. Ankylosing spondylitis is another one. If your hip joints hurt a lot because of arthritis, surgery might help. Surgery to replace your hip can help relieve your pain and make it easier for you to get back to doing the things you usually do.
- When your leg is stiff, it’s hard to move or lift
If your hip joints are so stiff that it hurts to move or lift your leg, this could mean you need hip replacement surgery.
- You want long-lasting relief
Most treatments for hip pain only work for a short time. Most shots last for a couple of months. Painkillers only make you feel better for a few hours. On the other hand, surgery to replace a hip lasts for many years. Nearly 85 percent of the artificial hip joints used in hip replacement surgeries last at least 20 years.
What Happens During Hip Replacement Surgery?
Your hip joint is made up of a ball and socket right above your femur (thigh bone). During hip replacement surgery, the ball and socket of your hip will be replaced with metal and plastic.
These materials made by people help your hip joint work better so that your hip can move and slide.
How long does it take to get back to normal after a hip replacement?
Three to six weeks after surgery, most people can do light things again. But you won’t be able to turn or bend your legs for six months to a year.
The best thing you can do to get better faster is to keep up with your physical therapy. Your doctor or physical therapist will tell you to do certain exercises every day so that you can get better.
Getting better may be more challenging for people with diabetes, heart disease, or lung problems. If you live alone, someone should check on you often for the first few weeks after your total hip replacement.
Get in touch with the Vikas Mehra clinic immediately to learn more about orthopedist surgery. Dr. Mehra is the best hip replacement doctor in Chandigarh.