Hip Replacement (Total/Hemi Hip Arthropasty)

The hip and knee joint are two of the more common joints in the body that undergo surgical replacement.  A large portion of this can be contributed to the fact that they are both weight bearing joints that undergo daily wear and tear during standing, walking or running.  The wear and tear may lead to arthritic changes within the hip, and if conservative treatments does not improve your symptoms, a surgeon may decide to perform a hip replacement.  Depending on which structures are observed to be degenerated (the acetabulum and/or femoral head) the surgeon will decide to perform a hemiarthroplasty and replace just one of the two structures, or perform a total arthroplasty and replace both structures.

There are two major techniques used today for hip replacement, anterior approach and a posterior approach.  Your surgeon will decide which approach is appropriate for you, and will educate you on the post surgical precautions that need to be followed after surgery.  The early phases of physical therapy consists of range of motion, muscle activation, scar tissue management, pain and swelling reduction, and gait training.  Once we have developed adequate strength, we will transition to functional closed-kinetic chain exercises, including balance training, to build strength and endurance within the muscles of the lower extremity.

Associated Symptoms:

  • Hip pain
  • Difficulty Walking
  • Swelling
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty lifting the leg
  • Balance Impairments

Related Videos

Related Treatments

Related Articles