Living with chronic hip pain due to arthritis, injury, or other reasons is challenging. When conservative treatments do not work, you might think about getting hip replacement surgery . And while it’s helped many patients live a comfortable, pain-free, and normal life, the surgery is not suited for all.
Only an orthopedic specialist can assess your condition and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for hip replacement. We’ve listed a few important reasons why you should never have a hip replacement without a doctor’s advice.
1. It’s Associated with Risks
Hip replacement comes with risks, including infection, blood clots, nerve damage, and implant loosening. Although advanced surgical techniques have minimized these risks, they are still not completely eliminated.
The risk is specifically higher in patients who have existing medical issues. It’s always best to check with an orthopedic surgeon in Mumbai to find the most suitable treatment for your condition rather than jumping straight to hip replacement.
2. Not Every Case Requires Surgery
Identifying the underlying cause of the hip pain is the first step in your treatment. Hip pain doesn’t necessarily indicate joint damage. It may emerge from the surrounding areas or from conditions that look similar to joint issues.
Having the hip surgically replaced without identifying the cause will put you through an unnecessary procedure that might take months to heal. Besides, the actual cause of the pain will still be left unidentified and unaddressed.
3. Not Every Candidate is Healthy Enough for Hip Replacement
Hip replacement is recommended only after careful consideration and a thorough examination. An orthopedic surgeon will check your overall health to know if you are a suitable candidate. Your age, health, type or extent of damage, and activity level are some key factors that help your doctor plan your surgery (if needed).
Some patients might find relief with physiotherapy, pain-relief medication, weight loss management, and other conservative treatments. For others, partial hip replacement or other non-invasive surgical techniques may be used.
4. Revision Surgery
Hip implants are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. However, they eventually wear down, requiring a revision surgery. Sometimes, a revision surgery may be needed sooner if the implant loosens or the infection develops. Additionally, if the artificial hip dislocates frequently, your healthcare provider might have to conduct a revision surgery to reposition the implant.
5. Risk of Delayed Recovery
Having a professional orthopedic surgeon guide you throughout and after hip replacement is important for your recovery. Each person recovers at a different pace, but there are certain guidelines that most are required to follow to ensure a smooth recovery.
Your surgeon will tell you when to start walking, when you can resume work, which activities are safe and unsafe, etc. They might connect you with a physiotherapist, who will help strengthen your hip joints and restore stability.
Hip replacement can improve your mobility, ease pain, and enhance your overall quality of life, but only when done by a professional and for the right reasons.
