How Total Hip Arthroplasty Can Improve Your Life

Anything that impacts our hips’ health and function can significantly impact our overall mobility. Our hips are an important supporting structure for our bodies and are involved in almost every movement we make. When complications that impact our hips appear, the first approaches are almost always more conservative. When medication, physical therapy, and other conservative approaches fail, Total Hip Arthroplasty may be the answer you’re looking for. THA is just one of the treatments provided by Space Coast Orthopedics that aims to help maintain and improve mobility and quality of life for our patients.

Discovering How Total Hip Arthroplasty Can Improve Your Life

Also known as THA, Total Hip Arthroplasty is a surgical treatment for worn-out or damaged hip joints that aims to improve mobility and reduce pain. These results are accomplished by removing and replacing the impaired hip joint with an artificial joint, also known as a hip prosthesis. This procedure is an important option for those suffering from disability and hip pain caused by several conditions. 

Some conditions that can lead to THA include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Post-Traumatic Arthritis
• Avascular Necrosis
• Severe hip fractures

During the procedure, the damaged head of your femur (the femoral head) will be removed and replaced with a metal stem. This item is designed to fit snugly into the remaining healthy femur. A ceramic or metal ball will be placed on top of this stem to replace the damaged femoral head and restore mobility and function.

The surgeon will then remove the cartilage surface of the socket or acetabulum. This cartilage will be replaced with a matching metal socket. This replacement will sometimes be secured in place with cement or screws. Finally, a plastic, ceramic, or metal space will be inserted to create a smooth, gliding surface in the socket.

Total Hip Arthroplasty comes with numerous benefits. Removing the joint surfaces that are the source of your pain and mobility issues can eliminate joint pain. Most patients who receive this procedure experience a significant improvement in their mobility and engage in daily activities. This reduction in pain and improved mobility leads directly to an increased quality of life. These prosthetic replacements are durable and will last many years in most patients without needing repair or replacement.

You must follow the instructions that you’ll be provided with after your procedure. These instructions will include a guide indicating when you should be able to return to your normal activities. Further, you will be directed to participate in physical therapy and other treatments to ensure the joint heals well. Only by following these instructions precisely can you give yourself the best chance of experiencing lasting improved mobility and reduced pain.

Choose Space Coast Orthopedics For Your Joint Replacement Treatment

As specialists in joint replacement treatments, Space Coast Orthopedics is an excellent choice for handling your total hip arthroplasty. Our team has decades of experience performing these procedures and is dedicated to ensuring you experience the best possible results from your THA. You can contact us at (321) 459-1446 to schedule your appointment, or stop by our office in Merritt Island, FL, to get your questions answered.