Hip Surgery DC can Provide Relief

Hip replacement surgery Washington DC is a procedure to replace a damaged hip joint with an artificial one.  This hip surgery DC is usually done when the joint is damaged to the point that the pain and limited range of motion interfere with quality of life.

Arthritis can lead to hip surgery Washington DC

The most common condition to damage a hip joint to the point that it needs hip replacement surgery Washington DC is osteoarthritis.  Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that causes the breakdown of joint cartilage.  A healthy hip joint has cartilage that allows the top of the femur to move smoothly in the socket of the pelvis.  When osteoarthrosis damages that cartilage, the bones can grind painfully.

Diagnosing a damaged hip

Your doctor will use imaging tests and a physical exam to diagnose the cause of your hip pain.  Imaging tests such as x-rays can sometimes show damaged bone or cartilage that may need hip replacement surgery Washington DC.  Your doctor may also need to do a diagnostic procedure called arthroscopy.  During this procedure, a tube with a tiny light and camera is inserted into the joint so your doctor can see inside the joint.

Treatment before hip surgery Washington DC

If your doctor finds that your hip joint is damaged, the treatment will depend on the extent of the damage and the cause of the damage as well as your age and overall health.  Before hip replacement surgery Washington DC, your doctor may recommend trying medicine to reduce pain and inflammation and assistive devices such as a walker or a cane.

Hip surgery DC

If nonsurgical treatments do not provide relief, your doctor may recommend either total hip replacement Washington DC or hip resurfacing.  During hip replacement surgery DC, the top part of the femur is removed and replaced with a ball on a stem that is driven into the femur.  The damaged part of the socket is also removed and replaced with a cup.  During resurfacing hip surgery Washington DC, the damaged part of the socket is still replaced but the head of the femur is not removed.  Instead, it is trimmed and capped, leaving more natural bone intact.  Which hip surgery Washington DC is right for you will depend on your age, overall health, and activity level.