Hip replacement is a treatment option for patients whose hip joint is causing them pain and limiting their mobility, and there's no alternative way of improving their condition.

Common causes of hip pain that might result in hip replacement include:

Osteorthritis: The wear and tear arthritis familiar to older people, in which the cartilage protecting the ends of the bones within your hip joint wears away.The exposed bones start rubbing together, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the most frequent reason that patients need hip replacement surgery.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A type of arthritis that's caused by an autoimmune response that makes your body attack the lining of your joints.

Post-traumatic Arthritis: This type of arthritis can develop after a serious hip fracture or other injuries.

Avascular Necrosis: Dislocation or fracture of the hip and certain diseases can result in reduced blood supply to the head of the femur, the large leg bone that forms part of your hip. If this happens, the bone surfaces can die off and collapse.When these conditions cause irreparable damage to the hip joint, replacing it with an artificial joint can provide relief from pain and improved function.

Hip replacement surgery may be carried out using an open approach, where your surgeon makes an incision that's large enough to expose and access the hip joint, or using minimally invasive techniques that involve smaller incisions and the use of endoscopic instruments.

Minimally invasive techniques have advantages because they cause less tissue damage, are less painful and heal more quickly. However, they aren't suitable for all patients. Your surgeon can explain which procedure is best for you and why.

Hip replacement surgery using either method is a complex procedure that requires surgeons with the experience of the team at Associated Orthopedists of Detroit PC, who excel in these types of advanced operations, including using anterior hip replacement techniques.

The anterior approach to hip replacement is a technique where your surgeon makes the incisions in the front of your hip.

The side or back (posterior) approach is used in more traditional hip replacement surgery, but the anterior approach has several advantages, including:

• Less trauma to the muscles

• Shorter hospital stay

• Faster recovery

• Less limping

• Reduced risk of hip dislocations

The anterior approach to hip replacement uses minimally invasive techniques, so again may not be suitable for everyone. However, if you are able to undergo hip replacement using the anterior approach, it does offer significant advantages.

To find relief from hip pain or discuss your options for anterior hip replacement surgery, call Associated Orthopedists of Detroit PC today, or book an appointment online.