Hip replacement surgery involves removing your painful hip joint and replacing it with an artificial one (usually made from plastic or metal). Though considered a last resort form of treatment, it may be helpful for your situation if you are dealing with:

Unbearable Pain

Pain is probably the number one reason people opt for hip replacement surgeries. For most patients, the pain only becomes unbearable while walking or doing other physical activities that involve the hip joint. In some cases, the pain may be so severe that you feel it even while at rest.

Pain due to damaged hip is not usually confined to the joint; you are likely to feel it around the whole groin area, buttock, or even thighs. It is rarely localized pain that gets worse at night. The good news is that you may begin to feel relief soon after surgery, sometimes even after a mere week.

Hip Joint Fusion

Even if your hip problem isn't causing you severe pain, you may want to replace it if it is too stiff. Ankylosing spondylitis, which is a form of long-term arthritis, is one of the health conditions that may stiffen your hip joint without causing too much pain. It fuses the joint and keeps you in a hunched up position, and may also affect other bones and cartilage in your body such as the spine and your ribs.

In severe cases, you may find it difficult to walk without aid or even confine yourself to the bed. In such a case, hip replacement surgery usually allows you to walk without walking aids.

Functional Limitations and Lowered Life Enjoyment

Lastly, you may also benefit from hip replacement surgery if your hips damage prevents you from performing daily life's activities. Functional limitations usually arise due to decreased range of motion in this joint. For example, you may find it difficult to:

• climb stairs
• put on shoes and socks
• interfere with your sex life

Even if your hip damage isn't too severe, you may still benefit from the surgery if it interferes with your quality of life. For example, it may be making you moody and interfering with your interpersonal relationships.

An orthopedic surgeon (like those at Richmond Orthopedic Associate Inc) will help you to analyze your situation, discuss the pros and cons of the surgery and decide if it is the right option for you. Note that every surgical procedure has some inherent risks, so consider if the benefits outweigh these risks. The good news is that 90% of hip replacement patients report decreased pain and increased mobility after the operation.