Health Blog: Solutions & Wellness Tips

You may feel younger than ever - but your hips might indicate otherwise. You want to live an active lifestyle, not remain sitting indoors on the couch wishing you could engage in the physical activities you love.

If this sounds familiar to you, you might be considering a hip replacement. But perhaps you're a little wary about what the process involves. Maybe you're worried about undergoing an invasive surgery, or you're concerned about what the entire process entails.

You're in luck - because this article will detail exactly what you need to know about what's involved in getting a hip replacement. Whether this is your first time looking into a hip replacement surgery or the night before your big procedure, here's everything you need to know about hip replacements, and what you can expect from the process.

What is a Hip Replacement, and Why Do I Need It?

To put it simply, a hip replacement is an operation that involves replacing the ailing hip joint with an artificial one. There are many reasons why the hip joint can become damaged, including injury from physical activities, bone tumors, degenerative diseases, and the natural aging process, among others.

One of the biggest reasons why people get their hips replaced is due to osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that afflicts the cartilage that connects the two ends of the hip bones to the joint. When the cartilage breaks down, the hip bones begin to rub together, which causes a significant amount of pain and discomfort.

Another common reason why people need hip replacements includes rheumatoid arthritis, which is a disease that makes the body's immune system attack the body's joints. When this occurs, the besieged joint becomes swollen, painful, and stiff.

If you're suffering from any of these diseases or conditions, and they're interfering with the quality of your life, you might want to consider undergoing a hip replacement surgery.

What You Need to Know About Hip Replacements

The decision to get a hip replacement should not be taken lightly. You should carefully consult with your doctor to determine how a hip replacement will improve the quality of your life. Many factors can prohibit your ability to undergo the surgery, including the quality of your health. Therefore, be sure to be open with your doctor about your medical history, as this can be fundamental to your decision about undergoing hip replacement surgery.

If you're still considering hip replacement surgery, be sure to talk to your family as well as your doctor to determine if it's the right decision for you.