Encouraging Facts About Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Any surgery can be daunting if it’s shrouded in mystery in your mind. If you have an upcoming total hip replacement, you might worry about the recovery process, postoperative pain, failed results, or a loss of function. We’re here to settle your fears with several of the most encouraging facts about the surgery. 

Our expert team of orthopedic surgeons at North Point Orthopaedics routinely performs total hip replacements to alleviate your long-standing pain, restore your independence, and improve your quality of life. If you have treatment-resistant arthritis, osteonecrosis, or other complications that inhibit hip function and cause pain, visit our offices in Munster or Crown Point, Indiana, for a complete evaluation and treatment consultation. 

You shouldn’t feel discouraged or over-anxious about your upcoming hip replacement. Here’s why:

1. You’ll probably recover most of your hip’s function

The majority of people who undergo total hip replacement can restore most of their function as long as they commit to physical therapy and follow postoperative instructions. You’ll have to work your way back up to certain activities, but with time, you can go on hikes, go swimming, tend to your garden, and even play low-impact sports like tennis.

Our team assists you throughout the entire process, giving you the go-ahead to increase your activity levels as your strength and mobility improve in physical therapy. It usually takes at least six weeks to return to normal activities, but with dedication, you’ll be independent again in no time. 

2. The surgery can be minimally invasive

Many people don’t realize that a total hip replacement doesn’t always involve open surgery. Many surgeons opt for minimally invasive techniques to remove damaged tissue and replace the joint with an artificial ball-and-socket. Minimally invasive surgeries use smaller incisions, which gives you a host of advantages, including:

• Shorter healing time
• Less complex wound care
• Lower infection risk
• Less scarring
• Increased accuracy for your surgeon
• Less postoperative pain

Our team can explain which technique they intend to use in detail and give you precise instructions on how to prepare for surgery and recovery. 

3. You can walk almost immediately

Many people assume they’ll be immobile for a while after total hip replacement surgery, but this isn’t the case. In fact, you can and should start walking right away. You’ll start slow, walking for just 5-10 minutes at a time 3-4 times a day. Through physical therapy and balance training, you’ll gradually increase your walking time until you can walk as much as you’d like.

Our team encourages you to take several 20- to 30-minute walks each week even after you’ve made a full recovery. Doing so helps you maintain the strength and function of your new hip joint. 

4. Expect success

Total hip replacement surgery has a remarkably high success rate of alleviating pain — about 90%. In studies of several thousand hip replacement surgeries from 1993 to 2005, patients with moderate to severe pain before surgery reported mild or no pain five years after surgery. Only around 30% of patients experience lasting limitations after their first total hip replacement surgery, but many people are able to recover most of their abilities. 

Contact us today

Feeling better about the prospect of a hip replacement? For more information on total hip replacement preparation, surgery, and recovery, call North Point Orthopaedics or request a visit online today.