As we age, everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs or even standing up from a chair can start to feel more difficult. While occasional aches and stiffness are a normal part of getting older, persistent hip pain may point to something more serious.
For many older adults, hip surgery can be a life-changing option that helps restore mobility, independence and quality of life. Over 500,000 total hip replacements are performed in the United States each year, offering long-lasting relief from arthritis pain and other hip problems.
In fact, for the majority of patients, we expect their new hip to last their entire lifetime without needing more surgery.
Why Would Someone Need Hip Surgery?
Hip surgery is most often considered when conservative treatments, like medications, injections, physical therapy or lifestyle changes, no longer provide relief. When the hip joint is badly damaged, surgery may be the best way to relieve pain and improve function.
The most common reason for hip surgery is severe hip arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, which wears away the protective cartilage or padding in the hip joint.
Aside from arthritis, other reasons someone may need hip surgery can include:
- Hip fractures, especially in older adults with osteoporosis. A hip fracture is a break in the top of the femur (thighbone) where the bone angles toward the hip joint
- Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions
- Avascular necrosis, when the blood supply to the hip bone is reduced, causing bone death
- Trauma and long-standing hip injuries that never fully healed
- Prior surgeries
- Tumors
Signs That Hip Surgery May Be Needed
How do you know when it’s time to talk to your doctor about potentially undergoing hip surgery? If hip pain is affecting your daily quality of life, it’s worth asking an orthopedic specialist about your options.
Here are some key warning signs:
- Severe groin pain that doesn’t improve with rest or medication
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairs without limping or relying on support
- Stiffness that limits daily activities, such as tying your shoes or bending down
- Reduced independence, such as struggling with basic household tasks or avoiding social outings because of discomfort
- Pain at night that interferes with sleep
What Does Hip Surgery Involve?
The most common type of hip surgery in older adults is hip replacement surgery. In this procedure, the damaged parts of the hip joint are replaced with artificial components, usually made of metal, ceramic or durable plastic.
There are two main approaches to hip replacement surgery:
- Total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty, or THA): Both the ball (femoral head) and the socket are replaced
- Partial hip replacement: Only the ball portion of the joint is replaced, usually only after a fracture in low demand patients
Advances in surgical techniques and recovery protocols allow patients to get moving within a day or two of having hip surgery, with full recovery typically taking a few months.
FAQs About Hip Surgery
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for hip surgery?
Your doctor will consider your pain level, mobility, overall health and how much your hip function limits daily life. Surgery is usually recommended only if other treatments haven’t worked.
How do I know if the pain is coming from my back or my hip joint?
Your doctor can assist you on this but generally speaking, hip arthritis causes pain in the groin and the front of the thigh, while back nerve problems cause pain in the buttocks or outer part of the hip.
What age group usually gets hip surgery?
Among patients getting hip replacements, about half are over age 65, and another 34 percent are aged 45-64.
One study comparing outcomes in patients aged 80 and older to those between the ages of 65-79 found that satisfaction, pain relief and improvement in mobility after total hip arthroplasty (THA) were very similar between both age groups.
What is recovery like?
About one-third of patients can go home the same day of surgery, while the remainder often spend just one overnight in the hospital. After surgery, you continue recovery at home with physical therapy. Walking aids like a cane or walker can be used at first to help with getting around. Most patients resume normal activities within 6-12 weeks.
Are there risks associated with hip surgery?
As with any surgery, there are some risks involved, such as infection, blood clots or joint dislocation. However, hip replacement is a common and generally safe procedure, with very high success rates.
How successful is hip replacement surgery?
The success rate of hip replacements is very high. Research suggests more than 90 percent of hip replacements last at least 20 years, and the majority of patients experience significant pain relief and improved mobility.
Can hip surgery be avoided or prevented?
Sometimes. If caught early, lifestyle changes, weight management, physical therapy or medications may delay the need for hip surgery. But once the hip joint is severely damaged, surgery is often the most effective option.
To help lessen the need for surgery, the following is recommended:
- Following all medication instructions
- Changing exercise to low-impact activities (like swimming, walking, biking, etc.)
- Weight loss
- Tylenol and arthritis medication under the direction of your doctor
- Joint injections
When to See a Doctor
If hip pain is keeping you from enjoying life, interfering with your sleep or making it hard to move around safely, it’s time to see a doctor. Early evaluation can help determine whether nonsurgical treatments will be enough—or if hip surgery might be the best option for lasting relief.
At Stony Brook Medicine, our Orthopedic Associates provide advanced care for hip conditions, from conservative treatments to state-of-the-art joint replacement. We work with each patient to create a personalized plan that supports long-term mobility, independence and quality of life. The Joint Replacement Center at Stony Brook is the most utilized center for complex hip and knee replacement surgeries. As a regional leader in hip and knee replacement surgery, we provide the medical and surgical expertise you deserve, while treating you like a person.
