Total Hip Replacement Surgery In Arlington, VA
Day to day activities can be painful if you are having hip problems like arthritis. Your hip holds your total body’s weight, so hip problems can cause pain when you walk, stand, or run. The good thing is, pain isn’t something you need to live with. Similar to knee replacement, hip replacement surgery has become extremely advanced over the last several years due to new medical technologies. Our doctors in Arlington, VA can perform minimally invasive joint replacement surgery to quickly restore functioning.
OrthoBethesda surgeons can review your case and design a treatment plan to address your needs. At OrthoBethesda in Arlington, we believe in a consultative and caring approach to medicine. Together, we can determine if total hip replacement surgery is the best treatment option or whether other treatment interventions are better for your specific circumstance.
What Is Total Hip Replacement?
The doctors at OrthoBethesda perform over 100+ Hip Replacement surgeries every month. The hip is a ball and socket joint which can be prone to damage. When performing a joint replacement the old socket needs to be replaced with something more durable. The ball in your hip is also known as the femoral head and the socket, also referred to as the acetabulum, is part of your pelvic bone. When your hip joint is healthy, the surfaces where the ball and socket rub together are smooth and frictionless. Synovial fluid acts as a natural lubricant, and cartilage covers and protects the bones from rubbing together. Ligaments also provide stability by connecting the ball to the socket. When a hip joint experiences trauma or damage, there is a lot of pain associated with the region because there are multiple surfaces wearing down. The leading causes of orthopedic surgery on the hip include the following:
- Bone Tumors
- Fractures and other hip traumas
- Arthritis
- Diseases leading to bone deterioration in joints
When you first contact the surgeons at OrthoBethesda, our first goal is to explore more conservative treatment plans such as medication, physical therapy, and walking supports. We fully evaluate all of our patients to ensure the best possible treatment and outcomes. If initial treatment interventions fail, we safely address alternatives that can be performed, such as total hip replacement surgery, to relieve your hip pain.
Are Their Different Types Of Hip Replacements?
The answer is yes, your implant consists of two primary components — the ball, which consists of a strong metal or ceramic, and the socket made from durable ceramic, plastic, or metal. One implant we could use to replace the socket consists of a metal shell with a plastic liner inside. The metal stem fits securely into the femur. The metal ball is either reattached, so the whole thing is one piece, or mounted to the stem during surgery.
Before your surgery, your OrthoBethesda surgeon in Arlington, VA will review two different types of fixation techniques for these implants, and together with the surgeon, you will choose the method that best meets your needs:
- Cemented hip implants: This technique utilizes bone cement to hold the implant securely in place.
- Porous hip implants: The Porous hip implant can be inserted without the use of bone cement. The porous surface allows the bone to grow around it. Continued bone growth increases the structural integrity of the hip, holding the implant securely in the most convenient position.
What To Expect From Your Total Hip Replacement In Arlington, VA
At OrthoBethesda in Arlington, VA, our orthopedic surgeons, will go over everything you need to know from the first point of contact, all the way through your successful joint replacement. Before your hip joint replacement surgery, we will review which medications you should discontinue, what you should bring with you, and when to arrive at Virginia Hospital Center. We will also cover any other questions that you or your family might have. To make things easier, we’ve listed out the steps involved in hip replacement so you can know exactly what to expect upon arrival. Here is an overview of our hip joint replacement procedures:
- When you first arrive for hip replacement surgery, our surgical team will make sure you are comfortable and prepared for the surgery and then administer anesthesia.
- We thoroughly clean the skin around your upper thigh with antiseptic where we will perform the total joint replacement.
- Once you are comfortably under anesthesia your surgeon will access the joint through an incision over the hip.
- Next, we will dislocate the head to later replace the socket of the joint. We use a special reamer to remove the surface of the socket and damaged cartilage. The reamer is specially shaped so that the socket will match the shape of the implant that will be replacing the hip.
- There are a few fixation techniques depending on the technique chosen. The outside shell portion of the socket implant can be attached using bone cement. Another option is to press the implant tightly into place where it’s held securely by friction. A third option is to use screws so the implant will not move.
- Once this shell is in place, the plastic liner portion of the socket implant is locked inside. Your orthopedic surgeon will then remove the damaged femoral head.
- The top part of the femur has relatively soft bone tissue around its center called cancellous bone. This cancellous bone surrounds the canal containing mainly fatty tissue and blood vessels.
- A portion of the cancellous bone needs to be cleared from the canal so the surgeon can mold its inside walls to fit the implant stem.
- Similar to the hip socket procedure, the stem implant can either stay in place with bone cement or by tightly fitting it into the canal.
- Depending on the type of implant used, the stem and ball will either be one piece or separate pieces. If the ball is separate, it will be secured to the top of the stem once the stem is inserted.
- Once the surgeon has inserted the hip implant components, the new ball is placed into the new socket. The surgeon may need to adjust ligaments surrounding the hip for the best possible hip function.
- Once everything is adjusted correctly, the surgeon sews the layers of tissue back in place, and the patient can go to the recovery room.
This process might sound daunting, but our doctors perform this replacement seamlessly to restore function. Here is some more information which we think you will find helpful.
What is the average cost for a total hip replacement?
Replacement total cost can be different amongst health insurers based on varying benefit levels and maximums. For example, Bupa quotes an average procedure cost of $31,820 and an average out-of-pocket cost of $1,120, whereas HCF quotes a total cost of $28,218 and an out-of-pocket cost of $967. The average cost for a hip replacement in the United States is around $32,000. Using guidance on typical coverage levels from healthcare.gov, let’s assume your annual deductible is $1,300, your co-insurance is 20% and your maximum annual out-of-pocket cost is $4,400 a year.
Is there a difference between hip replacement and total hip replacement?
Total hip replacement is ball and socket replacement where hip replacement could be partial, pinned or repaired.
How long does a hip replacement last?
The latest technologies suggest a hip replacement can last over 40 years.
What is the best hospital for hip replacement?
There are many good hospitals in the US and Virginia, but Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington where OrthoBethesda is located is rated as high performing in 7 adult procedures and conditions and amongst the top 3 in the DMV area.
Contact OrthoBethesda In Arlington Virginia For Total Hip Replacement
Our reputation has grown over the last 50 years as one of the most trusted surgical teams for joint replacement surgery and sports medicine because of our expertise. Commitment to patient care and successful outcomes sets us apart. Our surgeries are minimally invasive and our clinic is conveniently located in Virginia Hospital Center. If you are in pain and need to restore hip function to fully enjoy life, our doctors will guide you through the process to recovery. Contact us to schedule an appointment with us today!