Total Hip Replacement FAQ: Your Complete Guide with Dr. Leonard
Hip pain can be incredibly limiting, affecting everything from your daily activities to the hobbies you love. If you’re considering hip replacement surgery, you probably have a lot of questions. That’s why we created this comprehensive hip replacement FAQ with Dr. Leonard, one of OCR’s most experienced hip replacement surgeons.
In this guide, you’ll find answers to common questions about total hip replacement surgery, what to expect before and after surgery, recovery timelines, and long-term outcomes. Dr. Leonard performs approximately one hip replacement surgery per week and has helped hundreds of patients return to the active lifestyles they thought were behind them. Read on to learn what makes hip replacement surgery such a life-changing procedure.
Preparation & Pre-Surgery
How Should I Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery?
Low-impact cardio exercises are an excellent way to prepare for hip replacement surgery. Consider using an exercise bike, doing water aerobics, or swimming. Not only are these exercises helpful in preparing your body for surgery, but they can also improve the symptoms of your arthritis and build the strength you’ll need during recovery.
Should I Add or Subtract Any Foods from My Diet Before Hip Replacement?
I really like it when patients have enough calcium in their diet. I ask patients to take 400 mg of calcium with each meal and 1000 IU of Vitamin D each day. The extra vitamins will help your body integrate with your hip components and make them stronger.
Do I Need to Visit the Dentist Before Hip Replacement Surgery?
Yes, I have all my patients see the dentist before I replace their hips to make sure their mouth is healthy. If you have any source of infection in your mouth, it needs to be treated as best as possible so there is no risk of infection from your mouth to your new hip. After the replacement, you should see a dentist 2 times per year. Good dental hygiene is very important for long-term hip replacement success.
Do I Need to Take an Allergy Test Before Hip Replacement?
No. Your allergic response at the skin level is much different than that at the bone level. I have never had to remove a hip or knee because of allergies, so allergy testing isn’t necessary.
What Should I Pre-Plan for Before My Hip Replacement Surgery?
Pre-planning is important for a smooth recovery. It’s helpful to have people at home to assist you during the first few weeks. Consider arranging for someone to help with meals, household tasks, and transportation to physical therapy appointments.
The Hip Replacement Surgery & Hospital Stay
Will I Have to Stay in the Hospital After Hip Replacement Surgery?
Yes, hip replacement surgery is an inpatient procedure; however, most patients leave just two days after surgery. The quick turnaround is one of the benefits of modern hip replacement techniques.
Will I Be on Bed Rest After Hip Replacement Surgery?
No. If we perform the surgery in the morning, you will be out of bed by the end of the day. If we perform the surgery later in the day, you will be out of bed the following morning. This early mobilization is crucial for recovery.
What Will I Do When I’m “Out of Bed”?
You will be weight bearing as tolerated. Hospital staff will teach you how to safely get in and out of bed. Before you go home, they will make sure you are able to go up and down stairs safely.
How Large Will My Scar Be After Hip Replacement Surgery?
My shortest scars are less than four inches, and it’s unusual that I would go more than six inches. The surgical approach I use (posterior lateral approach) is the traditional standard technique that delivers excellent results with minimal scarring.
What Surgical Approach Do You Use for Total Hip Replacement?
I use the posterior lateral approach, which is the traditional and standard approach for hip replacement surgery. There was a time when I used the anterior lateral approach because it was being advertised as having a lower dislocation rate. Lately there has been a lot of press on the anterior approach, but I’m not convinced it’s the better approach. We have such great results with the standard posterior approach—my patients are walking within two days and some take very few pain pills—it’s hard to improve on that.
What Brand of Hip Replacement Do You Prefer?
Stryker. We have been using Stryker for more than ten years with excellent long-term outcomes.
Recovery After Hip Replacement Surgery
When Can I Expect to Feel Relief from Hip Pain?
Total hip replacements are really satisfying because it’s no exaggeration that patients will tell me they feel better the day after surgery than they did the day before surgery. Not everyone tells me that, but every year, several patients experience this dramatic pain relief. It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of hip replacement surgery.
Will I Need a Walker After Hip Replacement?
Most people want a walker right after surgery; however, most people are done using their walker by the time they get to the ten-day post-operative follow-up in my office.
What’s the Hardest Part of Hip Replacement Recovery?
The hardest part will probably be regaining physical capabilities you haven’t had in years. Many people are just happy to get their hip replaced and be able to do the things they used to do immediately before the replacement, but now they can do it without pain. My goal is for patients to think back to years ago, before they had pain, and regain that level of fitness. The reason it’s hard is because many people don’t believe they will ever get back to that activity level. It just takes time and patience. How far were you hiking? Or dancing? Or golfing? Were you riding your bike further? You can regain a higher level of fitness you haven’t had in years.
When Can I Return to Work After Hip Replacement?
Someone with a desk job might return to work in 3-6 weeks. For someone in construction or labor-intensive work, it will be closer to 8-12 weeks. Everyone recovers at their own pace, so discuss your specific work demands with Dr. Leonard.
Will I Have Any Limitations After I Fully Recover from Hip Replacement Surgery?
There are dislocation precautions that are theoretically in place your whole life. Practically speaking, no one ever feels restricted after their hip replacement. They don’t feel like they can’t do things. The hip dislocation precautions are just part of your life—they’re not that restrictive, but they are something to be mindful of.
Physical Therapy & Long-Term Recovery
Will You Prescribe Physical Therapy After Hip Replacement?
We always prescribe physical therapy. It usually starts in your house and then progresses to an outpatient facility. The sooner we can get you to a physical therapy clinic the better, because the therapy center has more equipment and is more conducive to recovering from hip replacement surgery. Physical therapy is essential to regaining your strength and mobility.
How Long Does Physical Therapy Last After Hip Replacement?
Physical therapy duration varies based on your individual recovery goals and progress, but we typically see patients benefit from 6-12 weeks of therapy. This allows time to rebuild strength and confidence in your new hip.
Hip Replacement: Patient Insights & Outcomes
How Old Are Your Hip Replacement Patients?
I have had patients in their 30s (which is rare), 40s (which is not quite as rare), 50s, 60s and 70s (which are the most common ages). That being said, I have also had patients in their 80s and even in their 90s. Hip replacement is a viable option across a wide age range.
Why Would a 30-Year-Old Need Hip Replacement?
They had a condition where the hip bone died and it could not be repaired with other techniques. While rare, this demonstrates that hip replacement can be appropriate for patients of various ages when the clinical situation warrants it.
Can I Replace Both of My Hips in the Same Year?
You can easily replace both hips in the same year. The real go-getters will have their surgeries within six weeks of each other—I get a couple patients every year who do it. More commonly, people will have their hip replacement surgeries three months apart, which allows for better recovery between procedures.
How Many Hip Replacements Does Dr. Leonard Perform Each Year?
Approximately 50—that’s about one hip replacement surgery per week. This high volume means Dr. Leonard has extensive experience and refined techniques to help you achieve optimal outcomes.
Is Hip Replacement Easier to Recover from Than Knee Replacement?
Yes, it’s much easier to recover from a hip replacement versus a knee replacement. Hip replacements tend to have more predictable pain relief and faster functional recovery, which is one reason they’re such a popular and successful procedure.
Will I Need a Blood Transfusion After Hip Replacement?
Most people don’t need a blood transfusion. This is another reason hip replacement surgery has become so routine and safe.
Potential Complications & Safety
What Are Possible Complications with Total Hip Replacement?
There are a lot of complications that can occur, but they are all quite rare. Complications can include:
- Component fracture — The hip components are pressed into place and if pressed too hard they can crack
- Leg length changes — We can change the length of your leg. If made too long, it can stretch nerves and stretched nerves don’t work very well
- Hip dislocation — The hip can dislocate, though this is uncommon with modern surgical techniques
- Infection — Infection is possible but preventable with proper surgical protocols and post-operative care
Those all sound concerning, and they are serious, but they are very rare. The vast majority of hip replacement patients experience successful outcomes without complications.
Ready to Get Back to the Activities You Love?
If you’re experiencing hip pain that’s limiting your quality of life and preventing you from doing the things you enjoy, it’s time to talk with the orthopedic specialists at Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies.
Dr. Leonard and our hip replacement team have performed hundreds of successful total hip replacement surgeries and can answer all your questions about whether hip replacement is right for you. We’re committed to helping you return to hiking, dancing, golfing, biking, and all the activities that make life worth living.
Schedule Your Hip Replacement Consultation Today or Call Us to speak, schedule an appointment to speak with one of our hip specialists, and take the first step toward a pain-free life.