If pain or stiffness is making it difficult to move, hip replacement surgery may help. In hip replacement surgery, doctors remove damaged or diseased bone and replace it with an artificial ball-and-socket joint.
Total hip replacement is considered one of the most successful operations in modern medicine. It provides excellent pain relief. Most patients find that the surgery removes 95% of their pain and lets them get back to enjoying their everyday activities.
We offer comprehensive hip replacement care including preparation for surgery, collaboration between care teams, surgical treatment, specialized therapy and rehabilitation.
Highlights of our hip replacement surgery include:
Our surgeons provide several types of hip replacement surgery, tailoring each procedure to your specific needs. Your surgeon will make you aware of your options and discuss the most promising method for you.
We are leaders in minimally invasive hip surgery. In fact, we were among the first in Wisconsin to use the direct anterior approach to hip replacement surgery.
In this procedure, surgeons access your hip joint from the anterior (front) of your body, instead of the side or the back. The procedure requires only small incisions and causes less damage to major muscles.
Benefits of direct anterior hip replacement and other minimally invasive procedures include:
If your surgeons need more access to your hip, they may recommend a conventional hip replacement procedure to achieve the best results.
Conventional hip replacement works well for some people who have a painful, disabling joint disease because of severe arthritis. It also may help people who do not feel better after trying medication, therapy or other less invasive procedures.
Sometimes, years of normal wear and tear result in damage to artificial hip joints. You may want to discuss hip revision surgery with your doctor if you notice increased pain, stiffness or hip instability.
Hip revision helps correct the problem so the hip can function normally again. Afterward, people often experience less pain and better movement.
If you’re having hip pain but don’t want a hip replacement, you might want to consider hip resurfacing surgery. Hip resurfacing allows young, active patients with hip pain to avoid or postpone total hip replacement.
Hip resurfacing involves removing only damaged areas of the hip joint. This type of surgery is generally less invasive than conventional hip replacement, where we remove and replace the ball and socket of an arthritic or damaged hip.
Before hip replacement surgery, your doctors will evaluate you carefully. They’ll explain the procedure and how you can best prepare for surgery and recovery.
We might recommend physical and logistical preparation before surgery. To help you with this, we offer two programs: Prehab, which is rehabilitation you do before surgery, and our educational Joint Academy.
Prehab helps you physically prepare for surgery. During Prehab, you will:
Joint Academy is an educational class that usually occurs in a group setting at one of our locations. When you attend Joint Academy, you’ll learn:
Read more about Aurora Joint Academy.
Different people heal at different rates, and different procedures require different recoveries. Our teams often use slow-release anesthetics (pain relievers) to help you recover more comfortably.
After hip surgery, you may stay in the hospital overnight or for one to two days. Your Aurora doctors and therapists will work closely with you to develop a personalized recovery plan.
If you need additional care following discharge from the hospital, Aurora at Home services offer in-home nursing and physical therapy. Our certified nurses and home health care professionals can help you transition back to your regular schedule in the days and weeks following surgery.
Learn more about Aurora at Home.
Most people continue physical therapy for a few weeks or months after hip surgery. You can access physical therapy at our numerous locations throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Learn about orthopedic physical therapy.
You’ll most likely resume regular activities within about six weeks and be back to full strength after about six months.
Minimally invasive procedures may have even faster recovery times. After direct anterior hip replacement, some people resume light work within just a few weeks.
The hip replacement itself is likely to last 10 to 20 years. The actual lifespan of the replacement hip joint will depend on many factors, like your diet, activity levels and overall health, as well as changing technology.
After hip surgery and recovery, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions closely. Taking your time with rehabilitation and reporting any problems to your care team will help you have the most successful recovery possible.