Central Peninsula Hospital | Thrive | Spring 2018

When you’re living with a painful hip, there’s a good chance you’re not really living. It may be hard to stand, walk or even bend over to tie your shoes. The more chal- lenging these simple tasks become, the harder it may be to do activities you enjoy. If this describes your life, then it may be time to learn about hip replacement surgery. Why does it hurt? Most painful hips are caused by arthritis, which damages the bone and cartilage in the hip. But other conditions, such as a fracture, tumor or poor blood supply to the bone, may also be to blame. To help hurting hips, doctors typically first recommend things like medications, exercise or physical therapy. But if those treatments don’t ease the pain, then sur- gery is a safe and effective option. Most people who have had a hip replaced report that the surgery made them feel better and improved their quality of life. How does hip surgery help? Hip replacement surgery is performed with either regional or general anesthesia. It may involve a traditional open procedure or minimally invasive techniques. The open procedure usually involves a 6- to 8-inch incision on the side of the hip. Minimally invasive procedures use smaller incisions and specialized tools. Even though there are some advantages to minimally invasive hip replacements— smaller incisions typically translate into a shorter recovery time, for example—these surgeries tend to work best in young, healthy people who aren’t overweight. In both an open and minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon removes the dam- aged bone tissue and cartilage from the hip joint. He or she then replaces the head of the femur (the thigh bone) and the acetabulum—the socket in the pelvis where the femur sits—with metal or ceramic parts. Medication can help with the pain after surgery and during recovery, which may take three to six months. Physical therapy to help regain strength is often recommended. Is hip surgery right for you? If you have hip pain that’s interfering with your life and isn’t improving with other treat- ments, ask your doctor if hip replacement surgery is a good choice for you. You can also register to attend a free joint replacement class to learn more. The class is held every two weeks in the River Tower. It covers everything from preparing for surgery, what to expect the day of sur- gery and for the days and weeks to follow. Joint Replacement Class ●   ● Every two weeks, 1 to 2 p.m. ●   ● Kenai Room, River Tower, CPH Learn all there is to know about hip and knee replacement surgery by attending this free informational class. Call 907-714-5670 to sign up. Michael Reyes, MD We can make your new hip happen. Schedule an appointment with Michael Reyes, MD, at Central Peninsula Bone & Joint Center, by calling 907-714-4120 . Get hip to a new hip Surgery may be your best option to relieve chronic pain FREE 6 Central Peninsula Hospital