The rise in popularity of total hip replacement in Louisiana is largely due to modern advances in technology that have produced hip replacement parts that successfully mimic the body’s natural joints.
Unlike a normal hip joint, an arthritic hip joint is plagued by worn out cartilage, a rough bone surface, and decreased space for the joint to move around in – all as a result of years of the movement that wear and tear on your joints.
So today’s total hip replacement provides a combination of four replacement pieces that effectively trade out a rough, tight joint for a smooth, spacious artificial one.
Who is a candidate for a hip replacement in Louisiana?
Prime candidates for a total hip replacement include patients who experience significant pain during weight-bearing activities as simple as standing up, walking, or exercising.
Many of these candidates struggle with the quality of life issues because the hip pain prevents them from walking reasonable distances. It also causes difficulties in putting on and taking off their socks and shoes, takes away their ability to exercise or engage in recreational activities, and limits their ability to travel.
Total hip replacement in Louisiana can be a suitable solution for patients with a variety of medical diagnoses, including those who:
- Have osteoarthritis;
- Are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis;
- Have previously experienced a hip fracture;
- Have lived with a congenital hip abnormality.
Before resorting to a total hip replacement, other more conservative treatments are often considered, including:
- Exercise regimens that can infuse painkilling endorphins into the body and build muscles to help protect problem joints;
- Weight loss programs that can help alleviate some of the stress on a patient’s joints;
- Modification of activities to reduce that stress or pain;
- The prescription of anti-inflammatory medications;
- The use of assistive devices like canes or walkers;
- Cortisone injections to manage the inflammation caused by arthritis.
Even when surgery is selected as a treatment, the choices that face the surgeon are numerous. The most significant decision for the surgeon may be whether to perform the operation from the front or back side of the hip.
Operating from the front creates less tissue trauma, which means that the patient will likely experience a quicker return to normal functions in the days and weeks following the operation.
When it finally comes time to the operation itself, today’s surgeon has another new advantage over doctors in years past. New developments in technology have led to computer-assisted surgery. Basically, computer navigation of the surgical procedure allows the doctor to see the exact angle at which the pelvis is positioned on the operating room table, which leads to a more accurate placement of the important replacement hip cup.
In all, advances in technology and the medical establishment’s refinement of techniques has opened up a myriad of choices for people suffering from severe hip pain and has allowed patients the hope of a vibrant quality of life beyond the development of hip pain that was once a debilitating condition.
You don’t have to live in pain – take back your quality of life! If you are experiencing any hip pain and want to know if you are a candidate for a hip replacement in Louisiana, call our office today to Schedule a Consultation to discuss your goals and options.