5 Signs It May Be Time to Consider a Hip Replacement

The major joints of the lower body, including the hips, support your full weight as you move. When pain starts in any joint, daily tasks become difficult, if not impossible. Hip pain often develops slowly over time. You’ve likely already tried conservative therapies to gain relief. 

It’s common for hip pain to increase over time and for treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, and physical therapy to lose their effectiveness. There comes a time when hip joint replacement surgery becomes part of the discussion. 

At 360 Orthopedics, we’re both hip pain and joint replacement specialists. We understand that there’s a process of conservative treatment that’s one day set aside in favor of joint replacement surgery. The timing is typically unique for each patient, balanced between factors like deteriorating tissue, intensity and tolerance of pain, and even the life expectancy of prosthetic joints. It’s not an easy decision, but when the time is right, 360 Orthopedics is your partner. 

5 signs it may be time to consider a hip replacement

The time to opt for hip replacement usually comes down to tolerance, and the pivot point is always a personal decision. “It’s not time yet” is likely a phrase you consider. When you have a bad day, it may seem closer while other days it’s easier to cope. Look to these five signs it might finally be the time to consider surgery. 

1. Conservative treatments fall short

You’re likely balancing several treatments to manage your hip pain and mobility. Pain medications may no longer provide you with the same levels of relief, or the side effects might be causing health issues of their own. Physical therapy and light exercise can often reduce pain while improving mobility, but after a time these benefits fade, too. 

2. Your hip symptoms interfere with daily activities

When pain and lost mobility impact the normal activities of life, things like caring for yourself and your family, shopping for groceries, walking, climbing stairs, or performing work tasks, it may be time to consider a hip replacement. Your prosthetic stands in for the hip components causing your pain and stiffness. 

3. Pain affects your mood

Dealing with pain is hard on your emotional life as well as the physical limitations. Irritability and depression take a toll not only on you, but those close to you, too. When your hip hurts when resting as well as moving, there’s no time to recover emotionally. 

4. Severe mobility issues

Pain isn’t the only issue with deteriorating hips. You may still have pain symptoms under control as your hips become too stiff to walk or lift your leg. Mobility can be as significant a problem as pain. 

5. Advanced joint damage

As the hip joint deteriorates, it can advance to the point where hip replacement surgery becomes more difficult. Even before then, changes to your gait may result in unusual pressure placed on other joints, including the knee. 

With three locations in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch, Florida, 360 Orthopedics is close by and ready to help you with the hip replacement surgery decision. Call or click to arrange an appointment with the nearest office. It’s never too soon to start planning, even if your surgery is years away. Schedule your visit today.