If you’re dealing with chronic hip discomfort, you may already be working with your primary care physician to help treat the problem. If conservative care isn’t delivering the results you had hoped for, it may be time to talk with a hip surgeon to see if surgery is right for you. After all, not everyone is an ideal candidate for hip surgery. But what factors make someone an ideal candidate to undergo hip replacement surgery? We explore which factors suggest that you would likely see great results by pursuing a hip replacement procedure.
Ideal Hip Replacement Candidate
You don’t need to be the perfect candidate in order to have a hip surgeon sign off on your hip replacement operation, but the more boxes you check, the greater the likelihood that you will experience more functional improvement as a result of the operation. Here’s a look at some of the factors that can make you an ideal candidate for hip replacement:
- Arthritic Degeneration – For starters, your hip issues need to be caused by an issue like arthritis, which can’t be reversed. If your hip discomfort is actually caused by a muscle strain or a nerve impingement, you’re not in need of a new hip. But if the hip joint has eroded due to arthritic degeneration, hip replacement could be the perfect solution.
- Physically Limiting – If your hip discomfort is keeping you from remaining active or doing the activities you love, then a replacement operation may be able to help you regain function. Staying active is crucial for helping you remain healthy as you age, so if hip pain is forcing you to live a sedentary life, total joint replacement can be a lifesaver.
- Relatively Healthy – There is no perfect age for hip replacement, but the ideal candidate will be relatively healthy. Overweight or obese individuals are more likely to deal with complications as a result of the stress they put on the hip joint, while older or unhealthy individuals may be more likely to suffer complications during or shortly after the operation. You can’t control your age, but you can work to lose some weight and become a healthier individual if you believe hip replacement may be in your future.
- Willingness To Work – We always want patients who are willing to put in the work in order to make the strongest recovery possible. The operation alone won’t renew your hip function. You’re going to need to mind your restrictions and participate in a months-long rehabilitation program in order to make the strongest recovery. The ideal patient will welcome this challenge because they know the payoff is worth it.
- Strong Support System – Finally, it’s also helpful if the individual undergoing the hip replacement procedure has a strong support system to help them out during the recovery process. You won’t be disqualified from surgery if you don’t have a spouse or support system to lean on, but it certainly helps make recovery a little easier. Your surgeon will likely ask about your support system in order to understand how your recovery journey may look.
If you’re dealing with hip pain and are wondering if conservative care or an operation could help bring relief, reach out to Dr. Botero to learn more about what he can do for you. Give his office a call today at (865) 558-4444.
