Tag Archive for: Hip pain

Osteonecrosis of the Hip

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Also known as avascular necrosis (AVN), osteonecrosis of the hip can cause pain which can be debilitating in and around the hip joint. In the vast majority of cases, the condition worsens over time, and without treatment, it can cause the tissue in the hip to die, and the affected bone in the hip joint collapses over a few months or years. Because it may take from several months to over a year for osteonecrosis of the hip to progress, and because for some people, osteonecrosis of the hip is asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, early diagnosis and treatment can delay the condition’s progress. The place to start is with the best orthopedic specialists who have performed multiple surgeries to treat osteonecrosis of the hip. You’ll find them at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The most experienced professionals ensure the best outcomes.

OVERVIEW

Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis, is the death of bone tissue caused by a disruption of blood flow within a bone. The condition usually affects the ends of bones where they terminate in a joint. Though AVN can occur in the ankle, elbow, shoulder, and jaw, it most commonly affects the hip joint. There are an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 new AVN diagnoses in the United States every year. The condition can occur in people of any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed in people between ages 30 and 65. Osteonecrosis of the hip is the underlying cause of around 10% of all total hip replacement procedures. About 20% of people who dislocate their hips (the hip is no longer aligned in the joint as it normally would be) develop AVN. Unlike osteoarthritis of the hip which generally develops slowly over years, the different stages of AVN progress fairly quickly. There is no definitive answer; it could take 12-18 months or could develop much more rapidly over a few months.

ABOUT THE HIP

The hip is one of the largest joints in the body. It is a connection point between the legs and the torso. Specifically, it’s made up of the thigh bone (femur)and the hip bone (pelvis). The femur is a long bone with a rounded top. The round part of the femur fits into a cup-like socket in the pelvis called the acetabulum. A ball-and-socket joint, lets the leg move at 3 degrees to allow for the following movements: flexing, extension, rotation, a back-and-forth motion, and a circular motion. Several components that make up the hip joint are bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Muscles in the hips include gluteals, adductor muscles, iliopsoas muscle (a deep muscle group that connects the spine to the lower limbs), quadriceps, and hamstrings.

WHAT IS OSTEONECROSIS OF THE HIP?

Osteonecrosis of the hip (avascular necrosis) is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to the head of the femur is disrupted. Because bone cells need a steady supply of blood to stay healthy, the blood vessels gradually cut off nourishment to the top of the thighbone where it fits into the hip socket. Without blood, the head of the femur dies and collapses. If AVN happens near a joint, the joint surface may collapse. Some people can develop AVN on both sides. Traumatic osteonecrosis of the hip happens after breaking a bone or dislocating a joint. Non-traumatic AVN happens if one has an illness or medical condition that keeps blood from flowing to the bone tissue. Osteonecrosis of the hip typically progresses through four stages:

Stage 1: initial or preclinical stage, with often asymptomatic symptoms or mild pain and discomfort. Pathology: early death of bone cells, with no significant changes in bone structure yet.

Stage 2: early stage with increasing pain, particularly with weight-bearing activities. Pathology: early structural changes in the bone with more noticeable cell death and the beginning of bone fragmentation.

Stage 3: persistent and possibly severe pain and decreased joint function. Pathology: significant bone fragmentation and the collapse of the subchondral joint leading to joint instability.

Stage 4: Late Stage: severe pain and disability, major impairment of joint function. Pathology: complete collapse of the affected bone, severe arthritis, and potential involvement of adjacent bones and joints.

Read more about Osteonecrosis of the Hip on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a hip specialist today.

Hip Strain

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Hip sprains can cause intense pain that can impact your daily activities and overall quality of life. It can limit your movements, preventing you from doing simple day-to-day activities like walking, sitting, or running. For athletes, it means you are out of the game or out of competition. The pain and subsequent compromised mobility with a hip sprain. may occur in other areas of the body, such as the leg, sciatica, groin, or spine. A hip strain may trigger the onset or progression of hip osteoarthritis. What sets apart a full recovery and the worsening of symptoms is how soon you get help for it. Injuries that don’t receive immediate treatment may take months to recover fully from and may also cause chronic ongoing pain. If you are experiencing hip pain you should consult immediately with the extensively trained and highly respected surgeons at the Colorado Center of Orthopedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado. That way you can be assured of getting the most comprehensive and successful treatment.

OVERVIEW

A hip strain can happen in the blink of an eye or gradually materialize from continuous wear and tear. People are often confused between the terms “strain” and “sprain. The difference between a hip strain and a hip sprain is the type of tissue that is damaged. Simply put, a hip strain occurs when a tendon or muscle in the hip is stretched, torn, or damaged. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched, torn, or damaged. While hip strains can occur quite commonly, hip sprains are very rare. A hip strain may be a simple stretch in the muscle or tendon, or it may be a partial or complete tear of muscle fibers or the muscle and tendon combination. The most common muscle strain on the hip is the hip flexor strain. The hip flexors are a group of muscles that allow one to bend the hip and bring the leg up toward the body. This type of strain is often caused by overuse or sudden movements and can be very painful.

ABOUT THE HIP JOINT

The hip joint is the connection point between the legs and torso. It is one of the largest joints in the body after the knee. The hip joint is considered a “ball and socket” joint. The “ball” is known anatomically as the femoral head; the “socket” is part of the pelvis known as the acetabulum. The ball-and-socket joint allows for a wide range of motion and provides support for the legs to hold the body. Several components make up the hip joint:

  • Bones—the hip joint connects the thigh and hip bones
  • Cartilage—a smooth substance that covers the femoral head and acetabulum socket acting as a cushion that absorbs impact when walking or moving
  • Synovium—a thin cover that wraps around bones making a fluid that provides lubrication so bones can move easily without resistance
  • Bursa—a fluid-filled sac that provides cushioning and a smooth surface for bones, muscles, and tendons to move on
  • Ligaments—fibrous bands of tissue that connect bones to bones
  • Tendons—fibrous bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones
  • Muscle—muscles support the joint and help movement. Hip muscles include gluteals, adductor muscles, iliopsoas muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

WHAT IS HIP STRAIN?

A hip strain is when the muscles or tendons around the hip joint get stretched too far or torn. Hip strains frequently occur near the point where the muscle joins the connective tissue of the tendon. The most common mechanism of injury for hip strains is when a stretched muscle is forced to contract suddenly such as from twisting awkwardly or overexerting during exercise. A fall, overstretching, or a direct blow to the muscle can all tear muscle fibers, resulting in a strain. Hip strains are also caused by overuse such as when the muscle or tendon has slowly become weakened over time by repetitive movements. There’s no difference between a strained muscle and a pulled muscle. People use the terms interchangeably. The same is true for a strained muscle and a torn muscle. They’re the same injury with the same symptoms and treatments.

Read more about Hip Strain on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a hip specialist today.

Acetabular Fracture

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An acetabular fracture is a break in the hip socket. These are relatively rare injuries and are extremely challenging orthopedic injuries to repair. This is because, at times, an acetabular fracture leaves multiple small fragments of fractured bone and cartilage, “puzzle pieces” that must be brought back together to restore hip function and mobility. Additionally, a fracture located in certain regions can be challenging to work in and fraught with risk. That’s why it is important to choose a surgeon wisely. As soon as possible, you should see one of the highly experienced orthopedic specialists at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can trust them to get the best outcome.

OVERVIEW

An acetabular fracture is a break in the acetabulum, which is the socket part of the hip joint. Relative to most hip fractures, acetabular fractures are uncommon. They occur much less frequently than fractures of the upper femur or femoral head (the “ball” portion of the joint). These fractures occur in both younger and older patients. Acetabular fractures can interrupt the blood supply to your acetabulum bone. Without the correct blood supply, your bone cells die. If the injury is misdiagnosed, the femoral head (top of the thigh bone) can rub within the acetabulum (hip socket) and cause cartilage damage. If the cartilage is damaged too much, there is a risk of early-onset arthritis in the hip.

ABOUT THE HIP

The hip joint is a “ball-and-socket” joint that is made up of the acetabulum and the femoral head. The acetabulum is the socket or cup, while the femoral head is the ball. The acetabulum is part of the pelvis. Both the femoral head and acetabulum have cartilage on the surface of the bone to allow frictionless movement, letting one walk and move the hip. If the acetabulum is broken and the pieces are displaced, the hip can be unstable, dislocating, and causing significant pain and disability.

WHAT IS AN ACETABULAR FRACTURE?

These fractures can occur on the left or right hip and may break in one of 10 different places and in different ways called patterns. These patterns are based on location, orientation, or in combination. Acetabular fractures include:

  • Anterior wall fractures: An anterior wall acetabular fracture is a break in the front column of bone or area around the bony rim (wall) of the hip socket.
  • Posterior wall fractures: A posterior wall acetabular fracture is a break in the back column of bone or area around the bony rim (wall) of the hip socket.
  • Transverse fractures: A transverse acetabular fracture means the acetabulum broke at a 90-degree angle or perpendicular to the long part of your bone.
  • Comminuted fractures: A comminuted acetabular fracture means the acetabulum broke into more than two fragments.
  • Stress fractures: An acetabular stress fracture is a small crack in your acetabulum bone. This type of fracture happens because of overuse or repeated stress put on the acetabulum bone.

Read more about Acetabular Fractures on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a hip specialist today.

Hip Resrufacing

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When hip pain gets to the point where it impairs movement and functionality, it should never be ignored. Many people wait to consult a doctor because they are concerned it will mean they require a total hip replacement. Hip resurfacing, although not a term as familiar as hip replacement, is a more conservative procedure where the hip joint is relined instead of being completely replaced. (as in total hip replacement). If hip pain is keeping you from doing the thing you love, the experienced orthopedic specialists at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, can help.

OVERVIEW

Hip resurfacing uses implants to ease hip pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and other conditions. The implants take the place of damaged tissue and bone, allowing for more fluid movement. Hip resurfacing isn’t right for everyone. The patients that are appropriate are very mostly men in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s with strong, healthy bones who perform high levels of physical activity—in some cases; these patients are amateur athletes or extremely dedicated “weekend warriors” who run triathlons, power-lift, play water sports, soccer, or tennis. Women do not do as well as men, mostly due to a mismatch between their bone size and the resurfacing implants.

ABOUT THE HIP JOINT

The hip joint is the largest weight-bearing joint (after the knee) in the human body. It is also referred to as a ball-and-socket joint and is surrounded by muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It is the connection point between the legs and the torso. It is made up of the thigh bone (femur) and hip bone (pelvis). The femur is a long bone with a rounded top. The round part of the femur fits into a cup-like socket in the pelvis called the acetabulum. The function of the hip joint is to provide balance and support for the upper body, move the upper leg and hold body weight. It lets the upper leg move at 3 degrees allowing the leg to flex, extend, rotate, and move back-and-forth and in a circular motion.

WHAT IS HIP RESURFACING?

Hip resurfacing is a bone-preserving procedure that helps restore comfort and function to patients’ hips damaged by degenerative joint disease often caused by advanced arthritis. Arthritis of the hip is a condition in which there is loss of the cartilage of the head of the thighbone and of the cup-shaped socket of the pelvis where the thighbone fits into the joint (the acetabulum). This cartilage allows the bone to glide inside the socket of the joint as you move. When the cartilage is damaged or lost, bone rubs against bone, causing pain, tenderness, inflammation, difficulty walking or walking with a limp, stiffness in the hip and limited range of motion. Hip resurfacing is a technique that differs radically in the way the thigh bone is addressed. Instead of removing the femur head completely, as in hip replacement, it is shaved down to a peg (similar to a tooth cap). The peg is then suitably shaped to allow a metal ball to be placed around it. Essentially, the resurfacing’s “metal-on-metal” structure has the potential to last longer, and there is research data demonstrating patients can get back to high-level sporting activity at a higher rate after hip resurfacing compared to total hip replacements. The bone density around the implant actually gets stronger over time.

Read more about Hip Resurfacing on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a hip specialist today.

Hip Impingement

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Femoroacetabular impingement — also known as FAI or simply as hip impingement — is a common condition affecting competitive athletes and active older adults alike. With appropriate proactive treatment, many individuals with FAI can return to the playing field or their active lifestyle without pain and discomfort. The word to consider closely here is “proactive.” Without proper treatment and management, hip impingement can lead to degeneration of the cartilage in your hip and put you at risk of developing osteoarthritis. This is why you should consult the experienced orthopedic hip specialists at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as soon as you feel pain or discomfort. At CCOE, you can stop hip impingement from impinging on your life.

OVERVIEW

Hip impingements are common. They occur when the femoral head (ball of the hip) pinches up against the acetabulum (cup of the hip). When this happens, damage to the labrum (cartilage that surrounds the acetabulum) can occur, causing hip stiffness and pain; experts estimate hip impingement affects 10% to 15% of all adults and is seen more often in men. Health professionals now know that hip impingements are one of the leading causes of early osteoarthritis. With FAI, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down, and the underlying bone begins to change. In this case, the hip joint.

WHAT IS HIP IMPINGEMENT?

The hip is the joint where the thigh bone meets the pelvis. It is called a ball-and-socket joint because the ball-like top of the thigh bone fits into a cup-like area within the pelvis, much like a baseball fits into a glove. The acetabulum comprises the “socket” portion of this joint. The outer rim of the acetabulum is composed of fibrocartilage, known as the labrum. The labrum extends the ball socket, increases the overall stability of the joint, and acts to seal off the joint fluid to help lubricate the joint. The labrum also allows the ball and socket joint to operate smoothly during activity. The femoral head, or the top portion of the thigh bone, creates the “ball” portion of the hip joint. Disease, deformity, injury, and other issues involving the ball and socket joint may lead to a painful condition known as hip impingement.

Read more about Hip Impingement on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a hip specialist today.

Treatments for Hip Pain

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As we age, hip pain becomes a common issue for many of us – and there are a wide range of causes for it. The most common cause of hip pain is arthritis, which causes the joints to become inflamed and ache.

Osteoarthritis, also often called simply “arthritis,” is considered an overuse type of arthritic injury. It can occur in athletes in joints that are overused, and it can occur in people as we get older and have been using our hips and other joints for many years. Arthritis inflammation leads to swelling, and the swelling leads to stiffness and pain. 

If you are experiencing chronic pain in one or both hips, the method of treatment for your hip pain will depend on the underlying cause of the pain. Let’s talk about what can be done to treat and minimize your hip pain, and who can best help you.

What Can I Do for My Hip Pain?

There are several things you can do and lifestyle changes you can make in order to help lessen your hip pain, including the following:

  • If you are overweight, lose weight. That would place less pressure on the hips, knees, and feet.
  • Avoid jogging or running downhill. If you are an avid jogger and come to a downhill section, the gravity of each stride plus your body weight places additional stressors on the hip joint – so it’s better to walk down the hills.
  • Avoid standing for a long time.
  • See an orthopedist for some methods to strengthen the surrounding muscles without placing pressure on the hip. The hip joint is a very deep joint and is surrounded by muscle, so strengthening those muscles will help take some pressure off the hip and bring relief.

Minimizing Impact on Your Hips

If you engage in high-impact activities, always warm up before a workout. That includes a full 15 minutes of stretching.

It is a good idea to swap jogging or tennis for more low-impact or no-impact activities, such as cycling or swimming. Activities with less impact will cause less damage to your hip.

Ensure that your shoes fit properly, and that you are wearing the correct gear. Your socks, shoes, and clothing should all fit you well and not tug while you move. Shoes and socks that are too tight can hinder proper circulation, so make sure they’re supportive and snug without making your toes immovable in them. Shoes should have enough cushioning to absorb the shock away from your hips while you walk. 

Medical Treatment for Hip Pain

Your orthopedist will diagnose the source of your hip pain and will provide the best plan to move ahead with your treatment. Ultrasound-guided injections can bring about several months with minimized pain. Physical therapy is also very helpful for many patients.

If physical therapy, pain-relief injections, and other noninvasive or minimally invasive methods do not work to lessen your hip pain, your orthopedist may discuss hip surgery with you. Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is now available as an outpatient treatment, and this may work for you.

The medical field has made incredible strides in pain-relief treatments, and your orthopedic physician will explain your options.

Hip Doctors in Colorado Springs 

If you are in or near Colorado Springs, and you or a loved one suffers from hip pain, get it checked out by experienced orthopedic surgeons. Our team takes care of high-profile Olympians, professional and amateur athletes, as well as weekend warriors and active retirees. We will first try the most minimally invasive methods possible to help relieve your hip pain, and that may be all you need to get back to your active lifestyle.

Contact our team today at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence by calling us at (719) 623-1050 or request an appointment online, and see some of the best orthopedic doctors in Colorado!

Doctors’ Tips and Tricks for Relieving Hip Pain

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Hip pain can affect daily life, making it difficult to walk, climb stairs, bend over, or even sit down comfortably. But hip pain does not need to rule your life. Once you’ve visited an orthopedist to find out what’s wrong with your hip and how to treat it, you can manage the pain in several ways.

The board-certified doctors at Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence offer methods you can do at home to help relieve your hip pain.

Ice It Down

If your hip is hurting, it’s most likely because the joint is inflamed. Your hip joint can become inflamed from arthritis or bursitis conditions. If this happens, try putting ice on the joint. Ice can help lower inflammation and control the pain.

Heat It Up

If you have an arthritic hip joint, using warm heat from a bath or a shower can help soothe the joint. Be advised, however, that if you have bursitis, you should not use heat, as it can actually make the inflammation worse.

Lose Weight

Though it takes time to do, losing weight helps relieve some of the pressure on your hip joint. If you have osteoarthritis (also known as wear-and-tear arthritis), your hip pain can lessen by losing even a few pounds.

Exercise

By starting your day with light exercise, you can get your muscles working to help support you the rest of the day. A great hip exercise to start your day with is the bridge exercise. 

The Bridge

To do the bridge, lie on your back with your legs bent and your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Raise your buttocks off of the floor. As you’re doing this, tighten your abdominal muscles. Try to keep your knees, ankles, and shoulders aligned. Do not arch your back. Try to hold this position for 3-5 seconds. Start with one set of 10 reps, eventually building up to 2-3 sets over time.

Water Workout

Water aerobics and swimming are great exercises for your hip joints. Exercising in the water allows you to build up your muscles without adding additional stress or pressure on the joints.

Walking

Walking helps strengthen your muscles without putting stress on your joints. Exercises like running and jumping should be avoided, since they can make hip pain worse – especially hip pain that is caused by arthritis or bursitis.

Hip Stretching

If you have hip pain caused by bursitis, it can help to stretch the hip muscles that sit on top of the bursae, which are sacs of fluid making up part of the hip joint’s lining.

To do this stretch, kneel on the leg of the hip that’s giving you pain (hold on to something sturdy for balance). Then, tilt your pelvis forward and tighten the muscles in your buttocks. Lean away from the hip that hurts. By doing this, you should feel a pull from the top of your hip bone to the side of your leg and down to your knee. Try to hold this stretch for 30 seconds, repeating 1-2 times.

Thigh Strengthening

Your inner thighs help support your hips; therefore, strengthening these muscles can help lessen your hip pain. However, please note that these exercises are not for hip pain caused by bursitis.

To strengthen your inner thighs, lie flat on your back, put a ball (about the size of a volleyball) between your knees, and squeeze. Do 1-3 sets of 10 repetitions. Make sure you keep your pelvis tilted down to the floor so that your back is protected.

If arthritis is causing your hip pain, then strengthening the outer thighs can help add support.

To strengthen the outer thighs, lie on the side that does not hurt you. Lift the leg on your arthritic side about 6 inches, holding it for 2-3 seconds, and then lower it again. Do 1-3 sets of 10 repetitions. If it isn’t too painful, try repeating this on your other side.

Listen to Your Body

Always listen to your body when stretching and exercising. If you experience pain that lingers for hours or days after exercise, it may be a sign that your joint needs to rest. While some soreness is expected after exercise, that soreness should not persist or become worse. If you experience any sharp pains or other symptoms, stop the exercise immediately and talk to your doctor.

Different Treatments for Different Reasons

Keep in mind that some of these tips for pain relief may be better for some than others. It depends on the reasons behind your hip pain. The best way to know for sure what’s causing your hip pain is to visit a board-certified orthopedist who can properly diagnose and treat you. Then you can use the pain relief methods that work best for you and your condition.

Orthopedic Expertise in Colorado

Don’t let hip pain rule your life. For outstanding orthopedic treatment of your hip pain, visit the board-certified doctors at Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence.

When surgery is warranted, we utilize the latest and least-invasive techniques available. We ensure the best care possible, delivered with compassion and respect.

Call (719) 623-1050 or use our online form to request an appointment today. We look forward to caring for all of your orthopedic needs.

Orthopedic Tests for Hip and Pelvic Problems

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Pain of the hip and pelvic area is one of the most frequent types of joint pain seen by orthopedic doctors. Pain in this area can have many causes, and it can be disabling for athletes as well as less active people.

A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that about 7 percent of Americans experience some degree of hip pain or stiffness.

How Is My Hip Pain Diagnosed?

Following are some of the tests that are regularly used by orthopedists to determine the specific condition causing pain in the hip and pelvic area:

Initial Exam and Tests 

Your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms, the time they started, and any possible accidents or diseases you might have experienced. Next, your doctor will test your posture and gait, with you in both standing and seated positions. Measurements of your leg bones may also be taken by the doctor. 

Imaging Tests 

Imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI, may be the next step your doctor might suggest to determine the cause of your pain. A more specific test called an MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram) uses a contrast dye to look at your hip joints in high detail.

Lab Tests

Orthopedists also use laboratory tests to help determine issues that cause pain and stiffness. A blood test can show, for example, the presence of an antibody that may cause a type of arthritis.

Blood tests can also help find Lyme disease and lupus, both of which may affect your hips. In addition, your doctor may draw a small amount of fluid from your hip joints to confirm a diagnosis of gout or a bacterial infection.

Manual Tests 

Special manual tests or maneuvers are also part of the process to determine the cause of your hip or pelvic pain. Over the past several decades, orthopedists have developed more than a dozen of these hands-on tests.

During these mechanical tests, your doctor will ask you to sit, stand, or lie down with your body in different positions, and to make a series of movements. Your doctor will observe your performance during these tests to help in the diagnosis. 

These hands-on procedures include the following: 

·      Pelvic Rocking Test – This is used to check joint stability in the hip. A limited range of motion or pain during this test may suggest an injury or a possible infection.

·      Trendelenburg Sign – This test looks for weakness in the abductor muscles of the hips, such as the gluteus. The abductor muscles help draw your legs away from your body in activities such as walking or running.

·      Telescoping Test – This test looks for possible hip dislocation, where the head of your upper leg bone (femur) moves out of the socket where it normally sits.

Hip Surgeons in Colorado Springs

If you are experiencing hip and pelvic pain or stiffness, or other issues with your joints or muscles, we are here to help. Our team of physicians at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence are experts in sports medicine and joint injuries, and we can evaluate, implement, and monitor the most effective treatments.

For outstanding orthopedic treatment, schedule a consultation by calling our Colorado Springs office today at (719) 623-1050 or request an appointment here. We look forward to helping you live a more pain-free lifestyle so you can get back in the game.

Recovering from My Broken Hip

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Getting a broken hip is like slamming the brake pedal on your life. The recovery process may take months and will likely require making accommodations in your plans. While recovering from a broken hip can take a while, there are many things you can do to make the recovery period go well. 

Whether it’s due to an accident, sports injury, or another reason, a surgery will most likely be necessary to fix a broken hip. There are a few types of hip surgeries that are performed to fix hip fractures. Whether it’s an internal repair, partial hip replacement, or a total hip replacement, your surgeon will be the best person to determine which type of surgery is best for your situation.

How to Make the Recovery Period After Hip Surgery Go Well

Preparing Your Home – After your hip surgery, your ability to physically move as you used to will be limited. During the recovery period, you will need to make accommodations in your home so that you can limit the number of obstacles that may get in the way of your daily activities. For example, make sure to have the right tools available to you for getting around the house. Ask your surgeon if you need a walking cane, crutches, or a walker to reduce pressure on the hip. In addition, you may have to make sure you don’t climb stairs during your recovery while your body heals. If you live in a multistory home, you may have to make temporary adjustments to your home while you recover, such as setting up sleeping arrangements on the first floor if you typically sleep on the second floor. Another example is making sure you have a bathing chair set up in your tub for showering. Your surgeon will be able to tell you exactly what accommodations you need to make and what supplies you will need to make sure your recovery period goes well.

Physical Therapy – Once your broken hip begins to heal, your surgeon will likely recommend physical therapy. Your body will need to get used to functioning the way it’s supposed to. Physical therapy allows you to get your hip to practice natural movements so the joint motions and strength can be revived. Make sure to follow your physical therapy instructions exactly as your surgeon and physical therapist suggest so that your broken hip recovery goes well.   

Healthy Diet and Lifestyle – Finally, make sure you maintain a healthy diet during your recovery from hip surgery. Although a healthy diet is important regardless, during recovery your body needs the right nutrients to adequately recover. Make sure to stay away from foods high in sugars, trans fats, and salts. Eat healthy fruits and vegetables that provide the right type of fuel to your body while it heals. Also, make sure to stay away from alcohol as it interferes with a lot of medications. Smoking slows down the healing process and can make your hip recovery period last longer than it should. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are really important to your hip recovery. Make sure to talk to your surgeon about what you can do to improve your lifestyle while you are healing from your broken hip.

The Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence would love to help you recover from the musculoskeletal issue you are experiencing. Call (719) 623-1050 today to make an appointment with one of our highly trained doctors.

FAQs for Your Orthopedic Surgeon Before Hip Surgery

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If you need hip surgery, it’s important to have as much information about the procedure, recovery and what kind of outcome you may expect. In addition to researching a practice and the surgeon’s reputation, these are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) for your orthopedic surgeon before having hip surgery. 

What exactly is the hip procedure?

Although most hip surgeries involve joint replacement, or arthroplasty, there are other hip procedures performed for various conditions. Here are the most common:

·       Total hip replacement – usually performed to treat osteoarthritis of the hip that has progressed to the point of severe and constant pain that interferes with movement. The damaged part of the joint is cut away or removed, including the end of the femur (the ball of the joint) and cartilage and soft tissues from the inside of the joint. They are replaced with a smooth ball that fits into a prosthetic socket usually made of ceramic or steel.

·       Hip resurfacing –  similar to total hip replacement, prosthetic materials are implanted in the body to replace the hip joint. With hip resurfacing, the head of the femur is fitted with a smooth cap instead of removing the bone area and replacing it with a ball. The socket implanted in the hip fits the resurfaced femur for smooth and pain-free movement.

·       Partial hip replacement – if the end of the femur suffers a bad fracture, a partial hip replacement may be necessary to restore movement. In that case, the femur head is removed and replaced with a ball but the rest of the hip joint is left intact.

·       Hip arthroplasty – using small instruments fitted with a light and camera, the surgeon can remove damaged cartilage from the labrum, or the rim of the hip socket, and any small growths from the femur. This minimally-invasive procedure can be both diagnostic and therapeutic.

Is hip surgery necessary?

Have you tried more conservative methods of treatment for your condition? What are the options? Why does your doctor feel that hip surgery is the best course of action for your care? Some non-surgical treatments for hip conditions like osteoarthritis include physical therapy, assistive devices, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids, and viscosupplementation. 

What is the timeline for recovery?

Recovery can take time and effort after hip surgery. Does the procedure require a hospital stay, and if so, how many days? When will you be able to get around without help? When can you expect to drive, and return to work? Is physical therapy part of recovery? How many times per week? 

If you are in a great deal of pain or feeling emotional about your treatment options, it may be helpful to bring someone with you to your appointment who can help ask questions and remember the details of what is said. If you don’t have that option, bring a notebook where you write your questions before the visit and take notes.

If you have an orthopedic hip condition or injury, the board-certified orthopedic surgeons at the Colorado Center for Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs can help. Call (719) 623-1050 for an appointment today.