Total Hip Replacement in New York City
What is a total hip replacement?
Your hip joint is known as a “ball-and-socket joint.” The femoral head, which rests at the top of your femur, also known as your thighbone, is the “ball.” The acetabulum, a cradle-like groove at the base of your pelvis, is the socket. Both the femoral head and the acetabulum are covered by cartilage, which cushions your bones and allows for ease of movement. When the cushioning of the femoral head or acetabulum wear away, the two bones will begin to scrape against each other, resulting in hip pain and a decreased range of motion.
If you are experiencing persistent hip pain or loss of mobility and have tried various treatment options that offer little relief, a total hip replacement may be an appropriate treatment option for you. Considered to be one of the “most successful operations in all of medicine,” a total hip replacement is a surgical procedure that involves replacing damaged bone and cartilage with prosthetic parts to help restore the functionality of a hip that is pain-ridden or damaged due to injury, arthritis, or other conditions that may affect your hip joint.
When is a total hip replacement needed?
A total hip replacement surgery may be needed if you have sustained injury or damage to the hip joint and are experiencing symptoms of ongoing pain or impaired mobility that do not respond to non-surgical interventions. A total hip replacement may be needed if you experience any of the following:
- Pain that interferes with simple activities, such as walking or bending
- Pain while you are at rest
- Continued pain, even after the use of conservative treatment
- Limited range of motion due to stiffness in the hip
A total hip replacement surgery can help resolve hip pain due to arthritic conditions, such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Traumatic arthritis
What does a total hip replacement involve?
A total hip replacement involves your doctor replacing the damaged femoral head and the damaged surface of the acetabulum to restore the functionality of your hip joint. The procedure can be performed via the back, side, or front of the hip and can also be performed using computerized or robotic tools. We have made many improvements in the surgical techniques, anesthesia, pain management, and post-operative physical therapy over the last decade. A combination of these improvements has lead to a significantly shorter stay in the hospital and a much faster return to normal life.
What are the benefits of a total hip replacement?
A total hip replacement is one of the most successful and effective surgical procedures in medicine. If you are experiencing hip pain due to a fracture, arthritis, or other conditions, a total hip replacement can help reduce or eliminate hip pain, restore mobility, and allow you to return to your normal daily activities and hobbies.
Hip replacements are very reliable and the long term outcomes have been excellent. Hip replacements today rarely wear out, but complications with hip replacement surgery are possible.
If your hip replacement is causing you pain, or if you are experiencing other complications, a revision hip replacement may be recommended.
If you are experiencing hip pain that is interfering with your daily activities and are interested in a total hip replacement, a consultation with an experienced orthopaedic specialist may be the first step towards helping you regain mobility, return to your normal daily activities, and get back in the game. Here, at our practice, Dr. David Mayman provides personalized treatment solutions paired with cutting-edge technology to deliver total patient care and optimal results. Call 212.774.2024 to schedule an appointment.