Total Hip Replacement

You Don’t Have to Live with Joint Pain

Your hip joints are involved in almost every activity you do. Simple movements such as walking, bending, and turning require the use of your hip and knee joints.

Normally, all parts of these joints work together and the joint moves easily without pain. But when the joint becomes diseased or injured, the resulting pain can severely limit your ability to move and work. Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of degenerative joint disease, affects an estimated 43 million people in the United States.

Whether you are considering a total joint replacement, or are just beginning to explore available treatments, this website is for you. It will help you understand the causes of joint pain and treatment options. Most importantly, it will give you hope that you may be able to return to your favorite activities.

What is a Hip Joint?

Your hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, formed by the ball, or femoral head, at the upper end of the thighbone, and the rounded socket, or acetabulum, in the pelvis. The bone ends of a joint are covered with a smooth, tough material called cartilage.

Normal cartilage cushions the bones and allows nearly frictionless and pain-free movement. The rest of the surfaces of the joint are covered by a thin, smooth tissue lining called the synovium. The synovium produces fluid that acts as a lubricant to reduce friction and wear in the joint.

Common Causes of Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Sometimes called degenerative arthritis because it is a “wearing out” condition involving the breakdown of cartilage and bones. When cartilage wears away, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness. OA usually occurs in people aged 50 years and older, and frequently in individuals with a family history of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Causes the synovium to become thickened and inflamed. In turn, too much synovial fluid is produced within the joint space, which causes a chronic inflammation that damages the cartilage.
This results in cartilage loss, pain, and stiffness. RA affects women about 3 times more often than men, and may affect other organs of the body.

Post-traumatic Arthritis

May develop after an injury to the joint in which the bone and cartilage do not heal properly. The joint is no longer smooth and these irregularities lead to more wear on the joint.

Avascular Necrosis

Can result when bone is deprived of its normal blood supply. Without proper nutrition from the blood, the bone’s structure weakens and may collapse and damage the cartilage.

Paget’s Disease

A bone disease that often affects the hip. Bone formation is sped up, causing the density and shape of the bone to change. Joint pain can also be caused by deformity or direct injury to the joint. In some cases, joint pain is made worse by the fact that a person will avoid using a painful joint, weakening the muscles and making the joint even more difficult to move.

What is hip replacement surgery?

Is total hip replacement surgery for you?

Hip Pain

The good news is that if you are considering total hip replacement surgery, you're not alone. According to the hospital billing data, each year more than 340,000 such procedures are performed in the US.1 Even better news is that the US Department of Health and Human services considers total hip replacement to be one of the most successful and cost effective interventions in medicine.1 In fact, the success rate for hip replacements 10 years after surgery is 90-95%.1

Of course, the decision to have hip replacement surgery should be a cooperative one made by you, your family, your primary care doctor, and your orthopaedic surgeon. The process of making this decision typically begins with a referral by your primary care doctor to an orthopaedic surgeon for an initial evaluation.

Important safety notes

Hip replacement surgery is intended to relieve hip pain and improve hip function. However, implants may not produce the same feel or function as your original hip. There are potential risks with hip replacement surgery such as loosening, fracture, dislocation, wear and infection that may result in the need for additional surgery. Longevity of implants depends on many factors, such as types of activities and weight. Do not perform high impact activities such as running and jumping unless your surgeon tells you the bone has healed and these activities are acceptable. Early device failure, breakage or loosening may occur if you do not follow your surgeon's limitations on activity level. Early failure can happen if you do not guard your hip joint from overloading due to activity level, failure to control body weight, or accidents such as falls. Talk to your doctor to determine what treatment may be best for you.

References

  1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon website, orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00377

All information provided on this website is for information purposes only. Every patient's case is unique and each patient should follow his or her doctor's specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help.

All materials copyright © 2020 Smith & Nephew, All Rights Reserved.

ASK THE EXPERT

Dr. Gregory Lauro is available to answer any questions patients or their families may have regarding hip and knee conditions.

TESTIMONIALS

Dr. Lauro just did my left knee on July 2016,,,did my right knee on March of last year. He took great care of me,, I always felt that I could ask him anything and get a direct answer. His staff can’t be beat..they are courteous, and always ready to help you with any inquires you might have…What more can you ask for in a doctor. He gave me excellent care.

JANE BULEBUSH

Dr. Lauro was recommended by Dr Hennesy. He was encouraging and focused. I am very happy with the results of my hip replacement and recovery time has been very rapid. Would recommend this Dr. and procedure very highly.

ROGER MCQUILLIS

Dr. Lauro was wonderful. I had many orthopedics problems that arose from another doctor and Dr. Lauro handle all of them without a problem. It has been a long year but I do not know what I would have done without Dr. Lauro’s expertise in his field and his great care the he provided me.

MARY ANN

Replaced left hip. remarkable results! Appointment dates/time convenient and office wait minimal. Respects active life style. Honest, forthright advice.

KENNETH S.

Dr. Lauro replaced my hip 7 years ago. His office staff is wonderful to speak with and he takes his time during office visits. Never rushes you through and answers any questions thoroughly and honestly.

SANDI K

Dr. Lauro has been doing partial knee replacements for 25 years and worked wonders for me. After only 3 months I no longer need my cane and my scar looks amazing. His office staff is as friendly as you could want. Very clean environment. Little to no waiting both in and out of the waiting rooms. He is very attentive and explains things very well. He listens more than he talks and is dedicated to his practice. I would and have recommended him a lot. A true professional who knows what he is doing.

PATTI R.

  OUR SERVICES

Hip Conditions
Hip Treatments
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   Excela Health Orthopedics
5840 Rte. 981, Suite 101
Latrobe, PA. 15650

Excela Health Orthopedics
508 S. Church Street, 1st Floor
Mount Pleasant, PA. 15666

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Phone #:  1.724.532.1118
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See What Our Patients & Their Families Have To Say…

Dr. Gregory Lauro and his team are dedicated to providing comprehensive Orthopaedic Care in a compassionate and caring environment.

Dr. Lauro replaced my hip 7 years ago. His office staff is wonderful to speak with and he takes his time during office visits. Never rushes you through and answers any questions thoroughly and honestly.

SANDY K - MT. PLEASANT

Dr. Lauro replaced left hip. remarkable results! Appointment dates/time convenient and office wait minimal. Respects active life style. Honest, forthright advice.

KENNETH S.

Dr. Lauro just did my left knee on July 2016,,,did my right knee on March of last year. He took great care of me,, I always felt that I could ask him anything and get a direct answer. His staff can’t be beat..they are courteous, and always ready to help you with any inquires you might have…What more can you ask for in a doctor. He gave me excellent care.JANE BELUSHA –

JAN BULEBUSH - LATROBE

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