Slocum Orthopedics provides hip replacement care for patients across Eugene, Springfield, and the southern Willamette Valley. As the region’s largest provider of orthopedic care, our team supports individuals seeking to restore mobility and reduce hip pain.
What is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint that allows for smooth, pain-free movement when healthy. But conditions like hip arthritis can wear away the protective cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Hip replacement surgery, technically called “total hip arthroplasty,” is designed to replace your worn ball-and socket joint with new artificial hip parts that will relieve pain and restore function.
The new hip joint rubs against a plastic liner to create a painless surface. Materials used are strong, durable, and designed to last many years. Your surgeon will consider factors like age, bone strength, and the shape of your hip joint to determine the exact type of hip surgery you will receive.
Hip Replacement Procedure
1. Remove the ball of the thigh bone
2. Insert a metal stem and ceramic ball into the thigh bone
3. Place a metal shell and plastic liner into the pelvis bone
The surgery typically takes 1-2 hours, and most patients leave the same day or stay 1 day afterwards.
Medical Management of Hip Arthritis
Before considering surgery, there are several non-surgical approaches that can help manage hip arthritis and potentially slow its progression. While they won’t cure arthritis or reverse joint damage, these strategies can be very effective in managing symptoms and may help delay the need for surgery.
Weight Reduction
The basic truth is that the more weight your hip has to carry, the more pain you will experience in the joint and the faster the remaining cartilage will deteriorate. Your hip experiences up to 3 times your body weight with each step, and up to 6 times when going downstairs. Extra weight means more pressure and faster cartilage wear. Even small weight reductions can significantly reduce hip pain and slow joint deterioration. Focus on regular exercise and a balanced diet to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Adaptive / Walking Devices
Using a cane in your opposite hand can reduce weight on your hip joint by up to 50%, significantly easing pain. The less weight the hip joint experiences, the less pain you should experience from the bone on bone contact. Walkers are less effective, but may be necessary if your overall health or balance prohibits the use of a cane or walking sticks.
Activity Modifications
High-impact activities can accelerate hip damage and increase pain. Avoid activities like weighted squats/lunges and running on pavement. Instead, choose hip-friendly exercises like cycling, swimming, water aerobics, and elliptical trainers. These activities strengthen muscles around your hip without excessive joint stress while maintaining cardiovascular health and helping with weight management.
Is Hip Replacement Right for You?
When pain from arthritis causes severe limitations to your life and conservative treatments no longer help, it may be time to consider hip replacement surgery. Signs that you might be ready for hip replacement include:
• Severe hip pain that limits daily activities
• Pain that persists despite medication and physical therapy
• Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of chairs
• Lack of improvement with conservative treatments like medication, injections, or physical therapy
If you’re considering hip replacement surgery, the next step is to consult with a Slocum orthopedic specialist. Our joint replacement team supports patients from across the southern Willamette Valley, helping them understand their options and make informed treatment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the long term outlook of total hip replacement surgery?
Most patients experience significant pain relief and improved mobility after hip replacement (arthroplasty). While you’ll need to maintain an exercise routine and have regular check-ups, many people return to activities they love, free from the pain that once held them back.
How much pain will I have after surgery?
The amount of pain after surgery varies. Perception of pain is a very individual experience. Your physician and nursing staff will work with you to adjust your medications to minimize your pain. You will experience pain, especially in the first two weeks. Other interventions such as intermittent use of ice, elevation, active use of your leg muscles, deep breathing relaxation and meditation can help minimize your pain.
When will I be able to take a bath after surgery?
You may shower right after surgery. It is strongly recommended to avoid immersion of your leg in water, either in a bathtub or hot tub for at least 6 weeks following surgery. Even after the incision initially appears healed, the skin is still fragile and infection can occur.
When will I be able to drive after surgery?
It is generally recommended that you wait for 4-6 weeks after surgery to resume driving. Numerous studies have documented delayed reaction times with the operated leg that last a month or longer. In addition, you should not drive as long as you are taking narcotic pain medications during the day as this may affect your ability to react quickly and make good decisions.
When can I get rid of my crutches or walker and begin using a cane or walking sticks?
Your surgeon and physical therapist will help you make decisions related to the appropriate assistive device to use with ambulation. It is important to develop sufficient muscle strength before changing to a less supportive device. Transitioning too soon can reinforce bad muscle habits and lead to undesirable stress on your new hip and other joints.
Why Eugene Patients Trust Slocum for Hip Replacement
For more than 80 years, Slocum Orthopedics has helped keep the Eugene–Springfield community moving. As the region’s largest orthopedic practice, our board-certified surgeons provide advanced joint care supported by on-site physical therapy, imaging, and a dedicated surgery center.
