Hip pain treatment options

You have choices when it comes to treating hip pain and the best approach is the one that fits your needs and lifestyle. Most doctors begin with non-surgical treatments to help reduce pain, ease stiffness, and improve movement. If these treatments no longer provide enough relief, your doctor may discuss advanced options, including hip replacement surgery, to help restore comfort and mobility.

Treatment without surgery

Lifestyle adjustments, the use of walking supports, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medicines may help ease pain and reduce inflammation in the hip joint.

Talk with your doctor about non-surgical approaches to decreasing your hip pain. If these approaches don’t help, you’ve still got options.

Hip replacement surgery

If non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy, medication, or lifestyle changes don’t provide enough relief, your doctor may recommend a hip replacement. This procedure has been one of the most significant advancements in orthopaedic care, helping people around the world regain mobility and reduce joint pain for decades. During the surgery, the damaged portions of bone and cartilage in the hip joint are carefully removed and replaced with artificial implants designed to replicate the smooth, natural movement of a healthy hip. Hip replacement surgery can help restore comfort, improve mobility, and allow you to return to many of the activities you enjoy.

What happens during the surgery

During a total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty), your surgeon removes the damaged or arthritic parts of the hip joint and replaces them with artificial components. The upper part of the thigh bone (femur) is fitted with a metal stem and a smooth, rounded head that fits into a new socket in the pelvis, which is often lined with a durable material designed to reduce friction and allow smooth movement. Today, there are different techniques and technologies that can help surgeons perform hip replacement with greater precision and care. In some cases, robotic-assisted procedures or muscle-sparing approaches may be used to support accuracy and help reduce the impact on healthy tissue. Like any surgery, joint replacement involves risks. Your doctor can discuss these with you and help you understand what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.

Hip surgery

Muscle-sparing hip replacement

The hip joint is surrounded by muscles and soft tissue that support movement and stability. During hip replacement surgery, your surgeon needs to access the joint through these layers to reach the bones that make up your hip. In some cases, muscle-sparing or minimally invasive techniques may be used. These approaches involve smaller incisions and are designed to reduce the impact on surrounding muscles and tissue while allowing the surgeon to replace the damaged parts of the joint. Your surgeon will decide the best approach based on your anatomy, condition, and overall health. It’s always a good idea to discuss all available options with your doctor to understand which type of hip replacement surgery may be right for you.

Direct anterior approach

A smaller incision at the front of the hip leaves all of the muscle intact.1 The doctor pushes the soft tissue aside to access the hip joint and perform the joint replacement, rather than detaching any tendons or muscle.1 This has the potential to make a big difference both during surgery and in recovery.2

Robotic-arm assisted hip replacement

Robotic-assisted technology is changing the way hip replacement surgery is planned and performed. It combines the expertise of your surgeon with advanced tools designed to enhance precision and control during surgery.

With robotic assistance, your surgeon can create a personalized surgical plan based on the unique shape and condition of your hip. For patients, this means a procedure that’s tailored to their individual anatomy, performed with consistency and attention to detail – all guided by their surgeon’s skill and experience.

References:

  1. Wenz J, Gurkan I, Jibodh S. Mini-incision total hip arthroplasty: A comparative assessment of perioperative outcomes. Orthopedics. 2002;25(10):1031-43.
  2. Post ZD, Orozco F, Diaz-Ledezma C, Hozack WJ, Ong A. Direct anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty: Indications, techniques, and results. JAAOS. 2014;11(9):595-603.