Your healthcare provider may recommend getting a hip replacement if you are experiencing tremendous pain in the hip. The surgery replaces the existing hip bone with an artificial one to enable you to move without pain.
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, Beverly Hills, CA, and surrounding locations.
Why Do You Need Hip Replacement?
You may require hip replacement in the following instances:
- Osteoarthritis
- Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome
- Inflammatory arthritis (psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Developmental hip dysplasia
- Injuries, like hip joint dislocation and hip fracture because of a fall
- Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis)
- Injury that did not heal in the right manner
- Neoplasms
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease among other childhood hip disorders
Symptoms Indicating Hip Replacement
- Pain in the trochanteric and buttock region
- Pain while at rest and performing activity
- Pain in the groin and anterior hip
- Pain that gets worse with putting weight on the leg
- Loss of motion
- Tightness and stiffness of the hip
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty putting on socks and shoes
- Difficulty walking
Types of Hip Replacement
Two major hip replacement types are:
- Total hip replacement: This is the most common type which involves replacing both acetabulum and femoral head with a prosthesis.
- Partial hip replacement: Femoral head is substituted in this procedure. It is usually performed on patients with specific hip fractures.
Overview of Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement
Minimally invasive hip replacement is aimed at minimizing the impact of surgery on muscles, blood vessels, and other healthy tissue. Anterior hip replacement has usually been marketed as a minimally invasive surgery. Nowadays, orthopedic surgeons combine surgical approach with minimally invasive technique for accessing the hip.
The surgeon will access the hip joint by moving the muscles aside by making one or two small incisions in a minimally invasive procedure. There are certain advantages to this approach, such as:
- Less pain
- Lower risk of muscle damage
- Less limping
- Easier and quicker recovery
- Lower chance of hip dislocation
- Shorter hospital stay
Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is not appropriate for all types of patients. Your weight, fitness level, age, and other factors will help determine whether you are an ideal candidate.
Traditional Hip Replacement
Traditional hip replacement procedure involves one large incision which allows the surgeon to gain access to the hip. This is usually from the back (posterior approach) or through the side (lateral approach).
Recovering from a traditional hip replacement may take time since the surgeon will need to detach or cut through some muscles and tendons to get to the joint. The tendons and muscles repair as the hip implant settles in place. You may be at risk for a hip dislocation until the supportive structures get healed.
Key Takeaways
Several factors determine the surgical approach your doctor will take. This includes the style and type of implant, how the surgeon will gain access to the hip, your age, activity level, how the implant will be attached, and the health and shape of the hip bones.
Board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan of the Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI) receives patients from Los Angeles, Century City, Beverly Hills, CA, and nearby areas for orthopedic surgery.
Contact the Southern California Hip Institute
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Century City, West Hollywood, North Hollywood Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/