cause hip problems.
To relieve hip pain, a doctor may
recommend treatments such as
walking aids, medications, physical
therapy, weight loss and exercise
programs. If none of these treat-
ments works, hip replacement
surgery may be an option.
“I often tell people to listen to
their hip,” says Dr. Blocker. “Only
the patient can answer how much
pain they have. It’s interesting that
pain level does not always correlate
with the amount of arthritis seen on
x-ray. Terefore, it’s important that
the physician treat the patient, not
the x-ray.”
Hip replacement surgery, how-
ever, may not be a solution for every-
one with unresolved hip pain.
People who have chronic health
problems, such as heart or lung
disease, or who are extremely over-
weight, may not be good candidates.
Arthritis and your hips
Normally the ball and socket of the
joint are covered by shiny white
cartilage that acts as a cushion.
Arthritis is simply the wearing away
of that cushion. Tis occurs with
time, much like the rubber on our
car tires wears down over time.
“Tinking in terms of mileage is
more palatable for us than think-
ing about the fact that we’re getting
older,” says Dr. Blocker. “However,
the fact is that we’re wearing down
Te success rate after hip replacement
surgery is very high—most people who
have a hip replaced enjoy improved
mobility and relief from chronic pain,
according to the American Academy
of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“Hip replacement surgery is said
to be one of the greatest surgical
achievements of the century,” says
Edward R. Blocker, MD, an orthope-
dic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial
Hospital. “It can return a person back
to a normal life.”
However, as with any type of
surgery, there are some risks involved.
Infection and blood clots occur in
some hip replacement patients, and it
is possible to dislocate a new hip joint.
Also, a new hip might not last
forever. Many people in their 50s and
60s are now having hip replacement
surgery, which means they may need
to replace that new hip again in 15 to
20 years.
Dr. Blocker recommends discussing
the pros and cons of hip replacement
surgery with your doctor.
HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
When bad hips
Cofey infographic with information
from the Arthritis Foundation
More to know about hip replacement
YOUR HIP HURTS,
and it is
painful to walk, sleep or even get
out of a chair. You’ve tried medica-
tions and other treatments without
success. Now what?
Maybe it’s time to consider
having that bad hip replaced with
a new one—a surgery that could
change your life.
“Te main reason to consider hip
replacement surgery is pain,” says
Edward R. Blocker, MD, of Beaufort
Memorial Orthopedic Specialists.
“Tat may seem obvious, but many
patients ask me if I think they
should have a hip replacement. If
they have severe pain in their hip
that limits simple activities of daily
living and has not been relieved
with nonsurgical options, then the
answer may be yes.”
Pain that won’t go away
Te hip is one of the largest weight-
bearing joints in the body. It con-
sists of two main parts: a ball at the
top of the thighbone and a rounded
socket in the pelvis.
Te surfaces of the ball and
socket have a smooth cover of car-
tilage that cushions the ends of the
bones and lets them move easily.
If the cartilage wears away, it can
cause much hip pain and stifness.
Te most common cause of
hip damage is osteoarthritis. But
rheumatoid arthritis, bone tumors
or an injury to the hip joint can also
18
Health Scene • www.bmhsc.org