Millions of Americans suffer from from some degree of hip pain. You may have noticed a stiffness or discomfort in your hips in the morning, or experienced achiness or soreness after activities such as walking or jogging. This pain can be an early sign of hip arthritis.
To understand hip arthritis, you must understand how the hip joint works. The hip is a ball and socket joint and, similar to your shoulder, allows for a full range of movement. Both the ball and socket in the joint are covered with a layer of flexible cartilage to cushion the bones as you move. It is when this cartilage begins to wear down that you begin to experience painful symptoms of arthritis. As the cartilage continues to deteriorate, your body reacts by creating bone spurs within the joint. These small, bony growths inside the joint can cause you greater pain and lessen your mobility over time.
Depending on the severity of your condition, New Jersey orthopedic surgeons will develop a treatment plan which may include medication, physical therapy, and other supplemental treatments. However, when the joint cartilage wears away altogether, the bones in the hip socket rub together, resulting in nearly constant pain that can interrupt your daily routines. When hip arthritis symptoms are no longer manageable through medication, it is time to examine a surgical course of treatment. An orthopedic specialist may recommend minimally invasive hip replacement surgery to reduce your discomfort.
Many patients are concerned when their orthopedic specialist recommends hip replacement surgery. But this minimally invasive procedure is different than traditional hip replacement and offers many benefits.
The benefits of minimally invasive hip replacement surgery:
- Smaller incisions
- Less damage to surrounding muscles and bones
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quicker recovery
- Decreased risk of complications
- Less blood loss during surgery
Your team of NJ orthopedic specialists will develop the right course of treatment to meet your needs. To find out what your treatment options are, contact Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute to schedule an appointment.
