Not Your Father’s Hip Surgery

Advances in hip replacement surgery allow for reduced pain and faster recovery

One in three Americans suffers from a degenerative skeletal disease such as arthritis, so it’s little surprise that more than one million joint replacements are performed every year in the United States. More than 190,000 of those annual procedures are hip replacements (or hip arthroplasty), which have been performed in this country for more than five decades.

Over the years, orthopedic device manufacturers have made significant improvements in the quality and durability of replacement hip joints, which can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. According to Michael Henry, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Essentia Health Fargo, the procedure itself has evolved extensively as well.

“A number of minimally invasive joint replacement techniques have been developed,” Dr. Henry said. “Also, joint implants and surgical instruments have improved, allowing physicians to operate through smaller incisions.”

He explained that many of his patients are candidates for anterior hip replacement, which is a surgical approach designed to minimize disruption to muscle tissue attached to the hips. The result is typically a shorter hospital stay, reduced post-operative pain, and faster recovery.

For someone who struggles with hip discomfort, an orthopedic consult may not necessarily lead to surgery. “In my initial consultation with patients, I want to determine how the pain is affecting them and how it is affecting their quality of life,” he said. “I also want to understand their expectations — for example, what level of activity they hope to achieve. The decision to have hip replacement surgery is a very personal one.”

He said some people are able to find relief by using regularly scheduled medications, which may range from over-the-counter pain relievers to periodic cortisone injections. Even when hip replacement appears to ultimately be inevitable, medication can help delay the need for surgery.

Dr. Henry describes hip replacement as a low-risk procedure, generally lasting about three hours from anesthesia through post-operative recovery.

Patients are up and sitting in a chair, and may even begin walking with assistance, on the same day as their surgery. By day three, most patients are able to use stairs and can return home. Physical therapy is a crucial component of recovery, consisting of strengthening and range-of-motion exercises. By six weeks, most patients are able to walk without using a cane or walker for support.

After three months, activity restrictions are typically discontinued, and Dr. Henry said most patients can resume their normal activities — golf, jogging, or for those who may be unsure to ask, even sexual intercourse. “At the end of the day, hip replacement is a quality of life surgery.”

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• five Ways to M a K e your yar D a gar D en sanctuary in this issue of area Home, tour a newly decorated model home in the reserve at osgood — a quiet neighborhood across the street from osgood golf course in West fargo. then, turn the pages to learn about tips and trends for making your garden a peaceful retreat.