Hip Replacement

Orthopaedic Specialists

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine located in the greater Nashville, Tennessee Area

When advanced hip osteoarthritis causes unrelenting pain and stiffness, hip replacement may be the best option for relieving your pain and giving you the ability to return to an active lifestyle. Brandon Downs, MD, and the team at Orthopaedic Specialists recommend conservative treatment when possible, but when a replacement is necessary, you can depend on their surgical skills and years of experience. To learn more about hip replacement, call one of the offices in Nashville, Dickson, Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Centerville and Gallatin, Tennessee, or schedule an appointment online.

Hip Replacement Q & A

When might I need a hip replacement?

The primary reason patients seek a hip replacement is for ongoing hip pain that doesn’t improve with conservative treatment such as activity modification, physical therapy, medications, and in some cases, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

Hip pain arises from injuries, fractures, bursitis, and tendon inflammation. However, hip replacements are most often performed due to:

Osteoarthritis

Nearly 80% of all hip replacements are performed when osteoarthritis causes cartilage degeneration. As cartilage progressively breaks down, bone rubs against bone, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

Avascular necrosis

Only 3% of hip replacements are due to avascular necrosis, but it’s the second most common reason for replacement surgery. Avascular necrosis occurs when blood supply to the hip is compromised. The loss of blood leads to the death of bone tissues.

How is hip replacement surgery performed?

During hip replacement surgery, the surgical team from Orthopaedic Specialists removes the rounded top of your leg bone and replaces it with a metal prosthesis. Dr. Downs inserts a metal stem into the center of the thigh bone and then attaches a metal ball to the stem.

After removing damaged tissue from the hip and reshaping the socket, Dr. Downs creates your new socket by attaching a titanium shell and a cup-shaped liner. Then he inserts the ball into the socket, repairs the soft tissues, and your hip replacement is finished.

What benefits do I gain from the anterior approach?

Traditionally, hip replacement surgery is approached from the side or the back of the hip. The anterior approach gains access through the front of the hip.

If you’re a good candidate for the direct anterior approach, you’ll gain some health advantages. Using this approach, the surgical team at Orthopaedic Specialists can gently move muscle fibers out of the way, allowing just enough space to insert surgical instruments.

Since Dr. Downs doesn’t cut the muscles, you have less postoperative pain, a quicker recovery, and a faster return to weight-bearing activities. Sparing the muscles may also help prevent weak muscles down the road. Another advantage of the direct anterior approach is that you won’t have to sit on the incision site.

If you suffer from ongoing hip pain, call Orthopaedic Specialists or schedule an appointment online.

Q & A