Hip Replacement Specialist

What is hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery is used for patients suffering from irreversible, severe hip damage. This may be due to:

• Osteoarthritis: which is wear and tear on your hip joint associated with aging
• Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disorder that damages bone and cartilage
• Osteonecrosis: causes bone deformities due to inadequate blood supply to the hip joint
• Traumatic arthritis: occurs with injuries

During hip replacement surgery, Dr. Lavigne and his team remove damaged bone and cartilage from your hip joint, and use artificial replacement parts to build a new hip. This helps relieve pain, improve mobility, and boost your quality of life.

Am I a good candidate for hip replacement surgery?

Dr. Lavigne and his team let you know if you’re a good candidate for hip replacement surgery. If physical therapy, exercise, and pain medicine haven’t improved range of motion and hip pain, hip surgery may be the appropriate next step.

To determine if hip replacement surgery is right for you, the team:

• Goes over your medical history
• Completes a physical examination to assess strength, alignment, and hip mobility
• Orders imaging — X-rays, computed tomographic imaging  (CT Scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — to assess hip damage

What should I expect during hip replacement surgery?

During hip replacement surgery, Dr. Lavigne and the team make an incision (in the front or back of the thigh) near your hip joint, remove damaged cartilage or bone, and implant an artificial socket and liner with a hip stem and ball on the femoral side to form a new hip joint.

Physical therapy may help enhance your healing after hip replacement surgery, but gradual return to normal activity is often sufficient. Follow-up after surgery is scheduled at various intervals but most people are able to resume normal activities after 6-12 weeks. Ask Dr. Lavigne and his team which activities are safe for your new hip joint.

What are the risks associated with hip replacement surgery?

As with any type of surgery, there are risks associated with hip replacement surgery, including:

• Dislocation of your new hip joint
• Infection at the incision site
• Blood clot or pulmonary embolus
• Fractures

• Changes in leg length

When past treatments for hip pain and immobility fail and you’re ready to resume the day-to-day activities you once enjoyed, call the Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics team, or book an appointment online with Dr. Lavigne today.