Hip Replacement/Hip Arthroplasty

Understanding Types of Orthopedic Surgery

Hip Replacement/Hip Arthroplasty in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama

The hip is one of the most complex joints in the human body and is vital to movement and mobility. During almost every action, such as sitting, standing, walking, running, or jumping, the hips are engaged, making them fundamental to daily living. Conditions or injuries that impact hip health can lead to pain and discomfort and limit a person’s ability to live a fulfilling life.

At Southlake Orthopaedics, our mission is to help patients throughout central Alabama achieve less pain, more living. Our board-certified orthopedic hip surgeons perform total hip replacement surgery at locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL.

Hip Replacement Surgery at Southlake Orthopaedics

Hip replacement surgery, also known as hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves removing damaged bone and cartilage within the hip joint and replacing it with prosthetic components. It is one of the most common and successful operations for orthopedic concerns. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 450,000 total hip replacements are performed in the United States each year.

While hip replacement surgery can provide patients with relief and offers outstanding results, Southlake Orthopaedics does not rush to perform surgery as a first course of treatment. Only after non-invasive approaches have failed do we recommend hip replacement.

To ensure a patient is a good fit for hip replacement, our physicians perform the necessary testing, which can include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electrodiagnostics. These tests are administered to provide our orthopedic specialists with the full scope of a patient’s condition.

The procedure is performed while the patient is under anesthesia. After making an incision, the surgeon removes the damaged femoral head and replaces it with a metal stem that is placed into the hollow center of the femur. A metal ball is then placed on the upper part of the stem. From there, the damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket, using screws to hold the socket in place. Finally, a plastic spacer is inserted where the new ball and the socket meet to allow for a smooth gliding motion that mimics natural hip mobility.

Conditions That May Warrant Hip Replacement

Given the wear and tear they often sustain, hip injuries are common. Conditions that could result in the need for hip replacement surgery include:

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis of the hip is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage in the hip joint wears away, resulting in pain that makes it difficult to perform daily activities.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the hip is a chronic disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the hip joint and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, or swelling in the hip, groin, or thigh.
Osteonecrosis: Osteonecrosis of the hip, also known as avascular necrosis (AVN), is a condition that occurs when blood flow to the top of the thighbone (femur) is disrupted, causing bone tissue damage. It happens following an injury to the hip, most commonly a fracture or dislocation.
Post-traumatic arthritis: Post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) of the hip is a type of arthritis that develops after an injury, which can lead to the joint’s cartilage becoming damaged, resulting in hip pain and stiffness over time.

Physicians may also recommend hip placement if patients experience the following:

Hip pain that persists even while at rest or despite medication
Hip discomfort that worsens when walking, even with a cane or walker
Interference with sleep patterns due to hip pain and stiffness
Inability to walk up or down stairs because of pain in the hip
Hip pain that makes it difficult to rise from a seated position

Request an Appointment With a Hip Replacement Surgeon

If you’re experiencing hip pain, turn to the skilled orthopedic specialists at Southlake Orthopaedics. Our multi-specialty orthopedics team provides a wide range of comprehensive treatments for patients across central Alabama, including total hip replacement surgery. To request an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists in Hoover or Birmingham-Grandview, AL, contact us today.

Hip Replacement/Hip Arthroplasty

Understanding Types of Orthopedic Surgery