5 Signs It May Be Time For a Hip Replacement

Nobody likes to go "under the knife," but medicine and technology have come so far over the past few decades that it doesn't make sense to live in pain, discomfort, and distress because of needless worry about surgery. 

Our experienced surgeons at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, want everyone over age 50 to know the five common signs indicating you may need a hip replacement to get back to living a normal, comfortable, fun, and enjoyable life.

1. Discomfort while sleeping

Is it hard to get comfortable at night? Do you struggle to lie on your sides? Can you feel pain in your leg? Does your foot go to sleep long before you do? It's not rare for those struggling with hip issues to get poor-quality sleep. Hip problems can cause persistent pain through the night, leading to restless sleep and unwanted insomnia.

1. Jolts of pain or persistent aches

The most common condition for those needing hip replacement is cartilage loss, which leads to pain and inflammation. You may not feel the pain all the time; it may occur when you move a certain way, tie your shoes, bend over to put your socks and pants on, or pick up something more than a pound or two to feel it. The jolts of pain are a precursor to persistent aching, and the persistent hip aches eventually turn to constant agony.

1. Stiffness

Pain isn’t always the most obvious indicator. If you've been sitting for a few minutes and struggle to stand because your hip(s) won't allow it, you will likely struggle to do more than stand soon. Perhaps you've noticed that turning your body by twisting your torso rather than moving your feet takes a lot more effort than it used to. Unfamiliar stiffness is a critical indicator that your hip is deteriorating. 

1. Difficulty walking, biking, or exercising

The most frustrating sign for individuals with deteriorating hips is the inability to do everyday things they used to do. It's not stiffness, and it's not pain; it's simply immobility. Your body doesn't allow you to do something you were doing before, like jogging, walking, stretching, biking, or even tying your shoes.

1. Swelling

Swelling can sometimes come without pain. If your pants are a bit more challenging to get on, your belt is more difficult to fasten, and you haven't gained weight — maybe your hip is swelling. The swelling is caused by irritation beneath the skin's surface from deteriorating cartilage. While there may not be pain, your body is letting you know there is a problem in other ways. 

Find all the information necessary to make an educated decision about your future regarding a hip replacement. 

There is no reason to live a life of struggle or agony since most hip replacements require only a few months of recovery. Give Nevada Orthopedic a call or fill out our online form here, and we will be happy to help you return to a more complete and pain-free life.