When hip pain and stiffness makes it difficult for you to get out of bed or take a short walk, hip arthritis in Louisiana may be to blame. This degenerative condition is the leading reason why more than 350,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed each year.
Hip Arthritis Doesn’t Discriminate
Hip arthritis is an equal opportunity disease – it can affect anybody from active people to sedentary people. Hip arthritis in Louisiana usually occurs around middle age, when cartilage starts to erode. With no cushion in place, bone starts to rub against bone causing pain.
This pain can extend from your hip, buttock, leg or lower back. When the pain impacts your ability to perform your daily activities, it’s time to seek medical care.
Treating Hip Arthritis in Louisiana
Nonsurgical treatments may be your first option if your hip arthritis doesn’t appear on an X-ray, or if you’ve only been experiencing painful symptoms anywhere from four weeks to three months. A steroid injection may be recommended for temporary relief.
Physical therapy may also be prescribed because it can help improve your hip’s range of motion and work out some of your joint stiffness. However, neither therapy will stop arthritis from causing further hip joint deterioration.
Two Approaches to Hip Replacement Surgery
Surgeons have two options when replacing your worsening hip joint with an artificial one constructed from plastic and metal. Nearly 80 percent of hip replacement surgeries use the posterior approach.During this procedure, the surgeon creates an 8- to 10-inch cut in the side of the hip, then moves or cuts aside the buttocks muscles to reach the back of the hip. Following the surgery, people are cautioned to limit movements and certain positions to prevent the hip from dislocating.
Using the other type of surgery – the anterior approach – may allow your surgeon to do the surgery through a smaller surgical incision. The cut is in the front of the hip rather than in the side or back, like in traditional hip replacements.
Recovery May Take Time
Regardless of which procedure you undergo for hip arthritis in Louisiana, the recovery period is about the same. Some patients are able to walk with therapy the day of surgery. Most people spend a day or two in the hospital. Physical therapy helps people return to normal work and recreational activities anywhere from 6-12 weeks after surgery. Sometimes, however, a full recovery can take up to one year.
Choosing the Right Surgeon for Your Hip Replacement
There is no significant difference in overall outcomes between the anterior and posterior approach. Typically, joint replacement surgeons tend to prefer one approach over the other.That’s why it’s important that you choose a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable, and who has experience with the procedure. Look for an orthopedic surgeon who has performed a large number of surgeries because you will get better results.
Is hip pain affecting your ability to perform your daily activities? If you feel that you may be suffering from hip arthritis in Louisiana – and want to know if hip replacement surgery can provide relief – call our office today to Schedule a Consultation