Do You Need Hip Replacement Surgery?
WVU Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon discusses symptoms that lead to joint replacement
If hip pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility are impacting your day-to-day life, you may be considering hip replacement surgery. But knowing if it’s the right time for such a major procedure can be difficult for some patients.
“The hip joint is vital to everyday movements, so joint pain and degeneration can be debilitating,” WVU Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon Dwight Kemp, DO, said. “Hip replacements can restore range of motion and improve quality of life, but timing is important. As a surgeon, there are some signs I look for to help determine if it’s time for surgery.”
Overall Joint Health
Arthritis is the most common cause of damage to the hip joint. How much damage has been done can be a sign of the need for replacement surgery.
“If we’re seeing visible degradation on x-rays, that tells me surgery might be necessary,” Dr. Kemp said. “Advanced arthritis causes joint deteriorating, pain, and instability that, at later stages, only a hip replacement can fix.”
Pain Level
Worsening pain is a hallmark symptom that leads to hip replacement surgery.
According to Dr. Kemp, surgery is often the next step if pain:
- Is severe and constant.
- Doesn’t improve with rest, other treatments.
- Wakes you up at night.
“This level of pain is significant,” Dr. Kemp said. “I will often recommend surgery if a rest, medication, and other treatments aren’t making a difference anymore for a patient.”
Stiffness, Loss of Function
If hip pain, stiffness, and joint deterioration is interfering with your daily activities, it may be time to consider surgery.
“If stiffness and pain is making it harder to walk, use the stairs, rise from a seated position, and just live the life you want to live, we can explore your surgical options together,” Dr. Kemp said.
WVU Medicine offers multiple surgical techniques and innovative, cutting-edge surgical approaches. While not all patients are candidates for joint replacement, our Dr. Kemp, and all of our orthopaedic surgeons at WVU Medicine are here to help determine what is right for you.