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WHY DOES IT HURT?
Most painful hips are caused by arthritis,
which damages the bone and cartilage in
the hip. But other conditions, such as a
fracture or a tumor or poor blood supply
to the bone, may also be to blame.
To help hurting hips, doctors typically
first recommend things like medications,
exercise or physical therapy. But if those
treatments don’t ease the pain, then sur-
gery is a safe and effective option.
“What I recommend first is to make
sure patients have tried all conservative
methods of treating hip pain first,” said
orthopedic surgeon Steven A. Bar-
rington, MD. “That could be the use of
an ambulatory aid, such as a cane, or
altering activity. However, when the pain
with activity is limiting, and other treat-
ments haven’t worked, I recommend hip
replacement surgery. Visible arthritis on
an x-ray is also another reason I might
recommend surgery, but that varies from
patient to patient.”
Most people who have had a hip
replaced report that the surgery made
them feel better and improved their
quality of life.
HOW DOES
SURGERY HELP?
Hip replacement surgery is performed
with either regional or general
anesthesia. It may involve a traditional
open procedure—called a posterior
approach—or minimally invasive
surgery—an anterior approach.
“With the anterior approach, patients
can expect a faster recovery time,” said Dr.
Barrington. “We’re getting patients out as
early as the day after surgery. I think it’s a
very real possibility that we could someday
begin doing it as an outpatient procedure.”
For Dr. Barrington, the benefits to an
anterior approach are abundant.
“First, it’s a smaller incision,” he said.
“Also, patients don’t have to be concerned
about hip precautions such as how they
bend it and in what way. There is no limita-
tion in that regard. Theoretically, somebody
can be back doing whatever they want
within a few days. They still have to
recover from the surgery, so that part could
take some time, but I don’t limit patients
at all. They can basically improve at their
own pace. An anterior approach to hip
replacement is excellent for patients who
want to get back to work.”
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
If you’ve been dealing with hip pain that’s
interfering with your life and isn’t getting
better with other treatments, ask your
doctor if hip replacement surgery is a
good choice for you.
For Linda Dean, a recent patient of
Dr. Barrington’s, hip surgery was the best
option.
“I had a cane that I sometimes used
to walk before I had the surgery on
March 9,” Dean said. “I have absolutely no
pain now when I walk. Before, I couldn’t
stand for even a short time without having
a lot of pain, and immediately after the
surgery, I could stand with no pain.”
Dean stayed in the hospital three nights
after her surgery, and then completed six
weeks of physical therapy at home.
“When Dr. Barrington told me about a
new procedure for hip replacement using
the anterior approach, I went home and
researched it,” Dean said. “He felt like
it would be the best thing for me and it
certainly was. I felt very positive about
it. I was very confident and comfortable
with Dr. Barrington.”
Prior to your hip replacement surgery,
attend our Joint Venture Class. It is of-
fered on the first and third Thursdays
of each month from 9 to 10:30am.
Visit
www.jackson.org/eventsfor more
information.
WHEN YOU’RE LIVING
with a painful hip, there’s a good chance
you’re not really living. It may be hard to stand, walk or even
bend over to tie your shoes. The more challenging these simple
tasks become, the harder it may be to do activities you enjoy.
If this describes your life, then it may be time to learn about
hip replacement surgery.
Steven A.
Barrington, MD
We can make your new
hip happen.
Schedule an
appointment with Alabama
Orthopaedic Specialists.
Call
334-274-9000
.
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