How a Hip Replacement Can Give You Back Your Mobility

For most people, the process of aging isn't anything you're consciously aware of, certainly not on a daily basis. As an adult, your mind and thoughts are often just as youthful as they were 20 years ago. However, whether you've been living an active or a sedentary lifestyle, your bones may begin to wear down. Rheumatoid or traumatic arthritis, some of the most common forms of osteoarthritis, occurs in millions of people. Any number of degenerative hip diseases or hip fractures can cause decreased mobility and an increase in stiffness and pain.As the second largest weight-bearing joint in the body, the hip goes through years and multiple miles of wear and tear. Normally tough and sturdy, the bones in some people, seniors, in particular, begin to disintegrate, making some daily activities of life very difficult. It's possible that that bad hip of yours should be replaced. Only your medical professional can make the final determination if this line of action is best for you. However, if you've been struggling with pain, finding it difficult to walk around as you once did, and now even bending down to reach for your shoes causes great discomfort, it might be that a hip replacement would improve your quality of life. Read through the rest of this article to see if it's time for you consider having a hip replacement.

What Is a Hip Replacement?

Hip replacement is a procedure where a painful or diseased hip joint is surgically removed and replaced with a prosthesis. Also referred to as 'arthroplasty', the typical surgery takes around 60 to 90 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia or an epidural. The surgeon will remove the damaged or diseased sections of the hip joint, replacing them with metal, ceramic or a very hard plastic. During your consultations with your doctor, you can ask if a total or a hemi (or half) replacement is what you need.A hip replacement is usually only considered after other treatments such as physical therapy and pain medications have been tried. Your daily activities are being hampered by the hip pain and reduced mobility. Something as simple as putting on your shoes and socks has become a challenging task, and taking a walk around the block is nearly impossible. Seniors who suffer from stiffness and joint pain in their hip may want to seriously consider having this surgery. The goal of a hip replacement is to bring about pain relief and the improvement of the patient's hip function. Once you've come through the recovery period, you will find your mobility will have improved greatly.Next