Should You Consider Hip Replacement Surgery?

If chronic joint pain and hip discomfort keep you from living a full life, then maybe it’s time to consider orthopedic hip replacement surgery.

As a ball-and-socket joint, the hip is designed to offer a full range of motion. However, if it is damaged or diseased, chronic joint pain can be devastating and often debilitating to your everyday activities.

Orthopedic hip replacement surgery is the solution for men and women of all ages. The goal of orthopedic surgery is to remove the source of the pain and increase mobility. The injured hip joint and cartilage is replaced with a plastic or metal implant, allowing you to “jump” back into a rich, active lifestyle. 

With a 90% success rate, orthopedic hip replacement surgery is one of the most successful types of orthopedic surgery performed worldwide.

Hip replacement surgeries are most beneficial for patients who are dealing with the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis (the most common cause)
• Osteonecrosis (an inadequate blood supply to the ball portion of the hip joint)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
•  Bone tumor
•  Chronic joint pain in the hip despite medication and limited activity
•  Old age without full range of motion
•  Traumatic injury to the hip joint such as a broken bone

This is good news for thousands of patients. However, it’s bad news for those who need hip replacement surgeries but can’t afford the hefty price tag.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, over 285,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year. However, too many American patients are left to suffer because of little or no insurance coverage. Plus, they are too young to qualify for Medicare. These hip replacement candidates are faced with two options: deal with the chronic pain or pay out-of-pocket.

Canadian patients have to wait years before getting immediate treatment thanks to socialized medicine. They are more than willing to pay out-of-pocket to get fast relief and a speedy recovery.

In both cases, worried patients are looking beyond their borders for orthopedic hip replacement surgery solutions. They are traveling internationally to receive exceptional care from highly trained medical professionals and cutting edge hospitals and clinics – for a fraction of the cost of what it would cost in the U.S.

The surgical procedure is the same no matter if you are in Alberta, Washington D.C. or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Medical tourism patients are given top quality treatments – and often, better patient care – as well as detailed short- and long-term post-surgery instructions.

After hip replacement surgery, you can expect to wear either compression stockings or inflatable air sleeves. Both will prevent blood from pooling in your legs, reducing your risk of blot clots. You will also need to take a prescription blood thinner for several weeks after your surgery. This will be prescribed by your surgeon.

Physical activity is mandatory for joint and muscular recovery. A physical therapist will give you strengthening and mobility exercises that can be performed during your hospital stay and once you are home. You will have the use of a walker, crutches or a cane for added balance. By following your exercise regimen, you can add more weight to your legs and move about freely.

By following the recommendations of your surgeon and physical therapist, you will be able to “get back in the swing of life” within three weeks. Depending on your body, it may take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks after surgery to regain your full range of motion.

Keep in mind that there may be a few activities that you will want to skip. These include basketball and running. However, with a little time and faithfulness to your recovery routine, you will be walking, dancing, swimming, golfing or bicycling before you know it. 

Countless people suffer from hip pain every day, but you don’t have to. Orthopedic hip replacement surgery can give you the relief you deserve. Contact us today to increase your mobility and quality of life.