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Hip replacement myths debunked: What you need to know
If you’re considering hip replacement surgery, you may have a lot of questions. Knowing the truth about these procedures can help you make informed health
care decisions.
Is a hip replacement right for you?
Your hip joint controls a wide range of motion, supports your body weight, and plays a vital role in keeping you on your feet and active.
Hip pain can significantly impact your quality of life, whether it’s sleeping, walking, working, or carrying out daily tasks.
“Some of the activities that we often ask people about is difficulty with walking, putting on socks and shoes, going up and down stairs, squatting, kneeling, and getting up from a chair,” says Dallas A. Vanorny, MD, PhD, orthopedic surgeon at University of Iowa Health Care.
Finding relief for damage to your hip joint can be a frustrating journey. However, with the proper diagnosis and treatment plan, relief is available.
UI Health Care orthopedic specialists may recommend a minimally invasive surgery, traditional open surgery, or a revision hip replacement if you have pain from conditions such as:
- Advanced osteoarthritis
- Osteonecrosis
- Hip fracture
- Tumor in the hip joint
- Previous unsuccessful hip surgery
While our multidisciplinary teams streamline their approach toward replacement to ease patient recovery, hip surgery can be intimidating, leaving you with questions and concerns. By debunking common myths surrounding hip replacements, you can feel more confident in your care decisions.
Myth #1: “You must replace your hip joint implant every 10 years.”
A hip replacement can last for more than 20 years. When complications with the implant or tissues or bones around your hip occur, doctors may recommend a revision hip replacement to replace the existing implants or reinforce damaged bones and tissues.
Myth #2: “Regenerative therapy is an alternative solution for a joint replacement.”
Regenerative therapy has yet to be a comparable solution for damage requiring joint implants. While exciting regenerative therapy research is being done at UI Health Care, it cannot mimic bone and connective tissue development (embryology).
“We cannot recreate embryology in your hip or knee,” Vanorny says. “I wish we could. We're not there yet.”
See an orthopedic hip surgery specialist
If you’re experiencing hip pain, you may benefit from visiting an orthopedic hip surgery specialist to help you find relief.
"We take time to understand your goals and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We’ll do a thorough exam, and we’ll review your X-ray with you. We want you to feel comfortable and confident moving forward in your treatment and recovery."
— Dallas A. Vanorny, MD, PhD
Myth #3: "You’ll have a long hospital stay following a hip replacement.”
More than 85% of joint replacement patients at UI Health Care go home the same day or day after their procedure. Minimally invasive hip replacements often result in faster healing, less pain, and reduced complications, giving you a speedier return to your life and activities. While traditional open or revision hip replacement procedures require a hospital stay, the average hospital stay is typically one to three days.
More than 85% of joint replacement patients at UI Health Care go home the same day or day after their procedure.
Myth 4: Only older adults are candidates for hip replacements.
A hip replacement can benefit a wide range of patients. With advanced techniques and implants, younger patients can receive implants that last more than 20 years, providing decades of relief.
Myth 5: You can’t return to normal activity after a hip replacement.
A hip replacement aims to return you to your normal activity level. During your consultations and pre-op appointments, surgeons will discuss the best treatment plan for you and your activity level so that you can get back to doing what you love.
Curating a customized care plan
UI Health Care orthopedic surgeons offer customized care plans tailored to your needs and lifestyle. Our surgical team will discuss your implant and procedure options with you.
“We take time to understand your goals and answer any questions or concerns you may have,” Vanorny says. “We’ll do a thorough exam, and we’ll review your X-ray with you. We want you to feel comfortable and confident moving forward in your treatment and recovery.”
After developing a care plan with you, our team will guide you through the treatment process—preparing you for surgery and recovery with essential resources and rehabilitation experts like our physical therapists. If you believe you could benefit from a hip replacement, schedule a consultation with our orthopedic surgeons or sports medicine specialists today so you can regain your quality of life.
If you believe you could benefit from a hip replacement, schedule a consultation with our orthopedic surgeons or sports medicine specialists today so you can regain your quality of life.
Get back on your feet
Don’t let pain stand in the way. Visit a specialist today to get back to doing what you love.
