Why do my hips hurt?

Mid Florida Ortho

Your hip is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in your body. When it's working properly, it lets you walk, sit, bend, and turn without pain. To keep it moving smoothly, a complex network of bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons must all work in harmony. Over time, wear and tear can result in worn cartilage and broken or deteriorated bone. This wear and tear is called osteoarthritis and it is the most common cause of hip pain.

About Hip Arthritis

Hips are a prime target for arthritis. The first sign may be an occasional ache, but over time the pain may become too much to ignore.

Joints like the hips are simply places where bones meet and join together. Those meeting places are cushioned by shock-absorbing cartilage, so the bones don’t rub directly against each other. But when the cartilage is worn away— which is actually the definition of osteoarthritis— the result is a bone-on-bone grinding. That grinding hurts. You can feel it walking, sitting, or even lying down trying to sleep.

The factors leading to the development and progression of osteoarthritis include aging, obesity, joint injuries, and a family history of arthritis (genetics). Although there is no cure, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in slowing or preventing more damage to your hip joints. For more information about osteoarthritis, visit www.arthritis.org.

What is a hip replacement?

When non-surgical treatments have failed to control the pain and discomfort, your surgeon may recommend a hip replacement. Hip replacement involves replacing the painful, damaged parts of the hip with artificial parts called prostheses or implants. To imitate the action of your original joint, a hip replacement has 3 parts: socket (outer shell and inner liner), ball, and stem.

The outer shell of the new socket is usually made of metal. The inner shell, or liner, is typically made of a durable plastic called polyethylene. When a metal or ceramic ball is joined with the socket, the new hip can produce smooth, nearly frictionless movement. The stem, which fits into the thigh bone, is commonly made of titanium.

Here are some signs to consider when deciding if it may be time for a hip replacement:

• Hip joint damage is visible on X-ray
• You have frequent pain, swelling, and stiffness in your hip
• The pain and stiffness in your hip interferes with your daily life and limits your mobility
• Medication and using a cane are not delivering enough relief
• Your pain prevents you from sleeping
• You have difficulty walking or climbing stairs
• You feel a “grating” of your joint

Your doctor may decide that surgery is not appropriate if you have an infection or if you lack the bone mass or bone strength to support an artificial hip.

Zimmer® Minimally Invasive Solutions™ 2-Incision™ Hip Procedure

The Zimmer MIS 2-Incision Hip Procedure is an advanced way of doing hip replacement that was developed to offer the potential for quicker recovery and decreased pain. The procedure uses two small incisions that avoid cutting muscles or tendons surrounding the hip. This approach gives your surgeon good exposure of the hip joint during surgery to help streamline the procedure.

Potential benefits of the Zimmer® MIS 2-Incision Hip Procedure:

• Quicker recovery because smaller incisions minimize trauma to muscles and other soft tissue
• Less pain due to reduced tissue damage
• Fewer limitations and restrictions following surgery