Options to treat osteoarthritis pain
DEAR DOCTOR: I’m 55 years old and a former marathon runner. Now my right hip hurts all the time, not only when I walk but also when I’m lying down. I was told I need a hip replacement. What does that entail?
DEAR READER: You’ve described several of the signs and symptoms that make discussing the option of a hip replacement with your doctor a good idea. The goal of the procedure is to address chronic hip pain, increase mobility, return patients to normal activities and restore quality of life.
Hip replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces the diseased or damaged portions of the hip joint with an artificial joint, known as the prosthesis. An estimated 332,000 individuals undergo hip replacement surgery in the United States each year. The surgery is most common among people with osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that causes joint cartilage to wear away over time. The hip joint becomes rough and ragged, and the ensuing friction causes both pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis, injury and fractures also can cause sufficient damage to merit a
full replacement of the hip joint.
Before focusing on hip replacement as a solution, patients may explore other options for dealing with the pain and lack of mobility. These include physical therapy, walking aids, cortisone shots or medications and pain and/or anti-inflammatory medications.
During surgery, an orthopedic surgeon removes the diseased and damaged bone and cartilage, and an artificial hip is implanted in its place. A prosthetic socket is implanted into the pelvic bone, and a prosthetic ball replaces the rounded top of the femur.
After the surgery, patients must work with a physical therapist to rehabilitate the hip. They are given stretching, flexing and strengthening exercises, which they must continue to do on their own to assure the best recovery and results.