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Orthopedic Hip Surgery and Replacement
The orthopedic surgeons at The Steadman Clinic have been named among the top doctors specialized in hip surgery in the country. The clinic takes a holistic approach to treating hip injuries, ranging from minimally invasive surgery techniques such as arthroscopy and morphology to full hip replacements. The less invasive techniques of arthroscopy and morphology are appropriate for injuries that oftentimes go unnoticed and untreated as they do not cause the severe pain that comes when the hip needs to be replaced. The doctors at the Steadman Clinic utilize the most contemporary methods of performing hip replacement surgery resulting in the least amount of downtime for the patient.
The hip is one of the most important joints in the body as it allows us to walk and must support our body weight. Passed only by the shoulder, the hip is extremely flexible and has a very wide range of motion. Made up by a ball and socket joint, the hip has many parts. The acetabulum, referred to as the socket, has three parts: the ilium, the ischium, and the pubis. The femoral head, referred to as the ball, is located on the upper end of the femur, fitting into the acetabulum. To keep the femoral head and acetabulum stable, there are ligaments in the front to prevent dislocation, cartilage which acts as a shock absorber and helps with weight distribution.
The Steadman Philippon Research Institute has completed numerous reports on hip injuries and recovery.
Common Hip Procedures
Hip Arthroscopy
Hip arthroscopy is suited for a wide range of conditions such as symptomatic acetabular labral tears, hip capsule laxity and instability, chondral lesions, osteochondritis dissecans, ligamentum teres injuries, snapping hip syndrome, iliopsoas bursitis, and loose bodies. An arthroscopy procedure allows the doctor to see the hip joint without having to make a large incision. A small camera is inserted into the joint through the incision, as a result the patient typically has less pain and a faster recovery. Although hip arthroscopy has been performed for many years, it is not as widely practiced as knee or shoulder arthroscopy.
Hip Morphology
Femoroacetabular impingement has recently been linked to early osteoarthritis of the hip, and hip morphology is an ideal method for treating this type of injury. There are two types of femoroacetabular impingement, cam impingement and pincer impingement. Cam impingement is caused when the femoral head is not completely round, which hinders the rotation inside the acetabular labrum. Pincer impingement is when the acetabular cartilage extends over the labrum, potentially crushing the labrum.
Hip Replacement
Hip replacement is typically performed when a patient has severe pain due to a fracture or arthritis. Depending on the needs of the patient, a hip replacement will involve a single incision a few inches long directly over the hip joint, or a few much smaller incisions which is referred to as a minimally invasive hip replacement.
The most common cause for someone to receive a hip replacement is a result of hip arthritis, which is a degenerative condition affecting the hip joint and can cause severe pain. In general, the initial treatment for hip arthritis includes modifying activity, incorporating specific exercises, and use of anti-inflammatory medications. Additional assistance with devices such as canes, crutches or walkers can also be beneficial. If the initial treatments are ineffective, surgical reconstruction such as total hip replacement is necessary.
To further educate yourself on hip procedures, read below or visit thepatient educationsection.
Making an Appointment
Don’t let your hip injury inhibit your life any longer. Make an appointment with one of our world class surgeons today.
- Dr. Marc J. Philippon: Sports Medicine, Hip Disorders, Hip Arthroscopy
- Dr. Raymond H. Kim: Adult Joint Reconstruction, Knee & Hip Arthroplasty
- Dr. Joel M. Matta:Hip Disorders: Preservation, Replacement & Fractures
- Dr. Leslie B. Vidal: Shoulder, Hip, Knee & Sports Medicine Specialist
- Dr. Jonathan A. Godin: Shoulder, Knee, Hip & Sports Medicine Surgeon
- Dr. Jared T. Lee: Shoulder, Hip, Knee & Sports Medicine
- Dr. Joseph J. Ruzbarsky: Shoulder, Knee, Elbow & Hip Preservation Surgery
It is beneficial to bring x-rays and previous surgical information to your first appointment with the surgeon, so they can determine the best course of action. Other items to bring to your appointment:
- Driver’s License or a valid ID
- List of Medications
- Insurance Information
- Any other relevant medical information
To find out if your insurance is accepted at The Steadman Clinic, be sure to visit ourinsurance page.
Preparing for Surgery
When preparing for your procedure it is important to think through what will be needed post surgery, for example what changes will need to be made at home and at work. Be sure to have a list of any questions that you may have to ask your surgeon prior to surgery.
It is also helpful to meet with your physical therapist before your hip surgery as doing some of the postoperative exercises before can help with recovery. It you are overweight, it is recommended that you try to lose a few pounds prior to surgery as that will also help with recovery.
For more on how to prepare for your hip surgery, please visit our Preparing for Surgery page.
Recovery from Hip Surgery
A typically short term recovery for a hip replacement can be as little as 6-8 weeks, with 3-4 days of that being in the hospital. A full recovery from the surgery and return to quality of life can take up to 6-9 months. The serverity of your hip injury and the pace at which your physical therapy progresses will both influence recovery times.
Following your surgery you will typically begin a customized physical therapy plan designed specifically for you and your hip injury. The physical therapist will go over specific exercises that will help you regain full hip movement.
The length of your hospital stay will depend on your surgery and the recommendation of your doctor. Once you are released to go home, you will continue physical therapy for the designated period your doctor has prescribed.
More on
Educational Resources
For additional information on the specialties of The Steadman Clinic doctors, visit our patient education pages:
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Hip Morphology
- Hip Replacement
Hip Specialists
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