Hip Pain Management: Is It Time To Consider TJR? Talk To An Orthopedic Doc

My Hip Hurts

Hip pain treatment is usually conservative until the pain can no longer be endured. When the pain becomes unbearable and interferes with daily activities, orthopedic doctors turn to alternative hip pain management approaches such as surgery. The surgery commonly used for persisting hip pain is a total joint replacement (TJR), also called arthroplasty. In this procedure, a prosthesis is used to replace the injured joint, improving the functional capacity of the hip.

Time for TJR?

After evaluating the severity of hip pain, the orthopedic doctor may recommend surgery. If hip pain persists or worsens despite medication use, affects daily activities, or occurs during resting time, TJR may be recommended. Total joint replacement may also be advised if hip pain interferes with activities such as sleep and walking. Additionally, patients with arthritis, necrosis, tumors, or fractures may benefit from a TJR procedure.

Surgical techniques

The orthopedic doctor will decide on the right surgery to perform based on the injury and history of the patient. The 2 types of techniques are minimally invasive replacement and traditional hip replacement. Minimally invasive surgery involves 1 or 2 small incisions and has a faster recovery rate than traditional surgery. To access the hip joint, the surgeon will approach from the front, back, or side. The decision depends on the type of surgical technique performed.

Brief me on the procedure

The TJR surgical procedure is usually completed in 1-2 hours. After receiving anesthesia, an incision is created over the hip. The orthopedic surgeon will remove the injured bone and cartilage. The selected implant is then introduced and positioned at the site. After the proper attachment is performed, the surgeon closes with stitches.

Are there any risks?

The majority of patients recover and heal well after total joint replacement. However, similar to other surgeries, potential risks are possible. These risks are infection, bleeding, blood clots, continuous pain, and injury to nerves. Malfunctioning of the prosthesis, dislocation, fracture, and difference in leg length are other less common risks. Consult the doctor immediately if there is a fever, increased pain, swelling, redness, or abnormal discharge from the incision site.

Recovery time

Pain medications will be prescribed in the first phase of recuperation as some pain after surgery is considered normal. After the operation, the surgical site will be monitored for a couple of weeks. A nutritious diet and physical therapy can help with recovery. The time to recuperate from TJR depends on the patient’s ability to take precautions and follow instructions provided by the doctor. Most people report good outcomes after having TJR done.