Hip Surgery

Arthritis means joint inflammation. The condition causes pain, swelling and stiffness. Arthritis leads to destruction of cartilage and there may be inflammation of the synovial tissue that lines the joint. Once arthritis gets severe it can interfere with the following activities:

Walking
Getting dressed
Climbing stairs

Getting in or out of a chair
Sexual activity
Sleeping

The hip is a ball and socket joint. The ball is formed by the upper end of the femur or thigh bone and the socket is part of the pelvis. Individuals with hip arthritis usually have pain in the groin and thigh. Sometimes there is discomfort in the buttock and knee.

There are two broad categories of arthritis. Osteoarthritis and Inflammatory Arthritis.

Osteoarthitis is the more common of the two conditions. It is also called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. The cause is unknown, but certain conditions such as previous fracture, childhood hip problems and obesity often lead to osteoarthitis. The condition begins with cartilage loss and results in bone deformity with spurs and cysts.

Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and Ankylosing Spondylitis are examples of inflammatory arthritis. These conditions may affect multiple joints. The problem often begins with inflammation of the synovial lining of the joint that results in cartilage loss and areas of exposed bone.

People with hip arthritis often feel they have a groin pull that just won’t go away. Sometimes they can’t tell if the problem is coming from their hip, knee or lower back.

Your orthopaedic surgeon can tell where the problem is coming from by watching you walk and examining your hips, knees and spine. X-Rays are required and in certain circumstances MRI, CT scan and blood tests may be indicated.

Initial treatment may involve medication, exercise, weight loss, activity modification and use of a cane.

When pain gets to the point where it interferes with the activities of daily living, surgery is a good option. The orthopaedic surgeon may suggest either hip joint resurfacing or total hip replacement. Resurfacing involves replacement of the socket and a resurfacing of the ball. In a total hip replacement, both the ball and the socket are replaced. Both operations involve a short hospital stay and patients usually use a walker, crutches or cane for a few weeks after surgery. The surgery almost always cures pain and improves the ability to walk.