Hip Replacement Specialist

What is a hip replacement?

Hip replacement, also called hip arthroplasty, is a type of surgery that involves removing diseased or injured parts of your hip and replacing them with an artificial joint. Depending on your unique needs, the team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine offers a variety of hip replacement procedures.

Hip resurfacing

Hip resurfacing is rarely performed these days and involves removing the round head of your thigh bone (femur) and the socket of your hip joint while leaving the neck of your femur as is. This procedure allows some preservation of bone but uses a metal-on-metal bearing which is reserved for select situations.

Total hip replacement

Total hip replacement is a more common approach that involves removing both the head and neck of your femur. Your surgeon places a new socket and inserts a metal stem into the hollow canal in your femur. In cases of poor bone quality or osteoporosis, they may secure the implant with medical cement. 

The different approaches for this surgery include:

• Anterior hip replacement (direct anterior approach)
• Posterior hip replacement
• Anterolateral (lateral) hip replacement

Your surgeon at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine is able to perform each of these approaches and can explain the differences to help you decide what is best for you.

Revision hip replacement

In many cases, total hip replacements provide pain relief and improved mobility for more than 20 years. Sometimes, hip replacements fail and require revision surgery. The team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine performs revision hip replacement to remove the original implant and replace it with a new one.

When would I need a hip replacement?

Even though the team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine specializes in hip replacement, surgery is always a last resort. If you’re still experiencing disabling hip pain and weakness after trying nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy and lifestyle changes, it may be time to consider a hip replacement. 

Arthritis is the most common reason people get hip replacements. Other conditions that may require a hip replacement include hip fractures and avascular necrosis, a condition that occurs when bone tissue dies due to lack of blood flow. 

What is the recovery like after a hip replacement?

Thanks to the advanced expertise of New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine surgeons, most patients can walk the same day as surgery. However, complete recovery takes several weeks. 

Your recovery time depends on the type of hip replacement procedure as well as your overall condition before surgery.

The team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine spends time discussing what you should expect from hip replacement recovery before you decide on surgery. Most patients spend 1-2 nights in the hospital and take 2-6 weeks off from work, depending on the physical demands of their job. 

For more information about hip replacements, call New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine or book an appointment online today.