Hip Pain and Hip Replacement Surgery

Ochsner specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of hip conditions, including:

• Arthritis: This includes osteoarthritis (the most common wear-and-tear type), rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis.

• Osteonecrosis: Also known as avascular necrosis, this is the death of bone tissue due to reduced blood flow.

• Congenital hip dislocation: A condition present at birth in which the hip joint is out of place.

• Leg malalignment: Misalignment of the leg that can lead to joint pain, limited range of motion and uneven leg length.

• Hip injuries, fractures and tumors: Trauma or bone tumors that result in the deterioration of the hip joint.

At Ochsner Health's orthopedic specialists offer a full range of hip pain treatment options to help you move comfortably again. Before considering hip replacement surgery, Ochsner's team may recommend noninvasive treatments such as physical therapy, medications or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

If conservative treatments are not effective, Ochsner offers all major surgical approaches for total hip replacement, including anterior (front), posterior (back) and lateral (side) techniques. During hip replacement surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will remove the damaged hip joint and replace it with a durable artificial implant.

Ochsner was one of the first hospitals in Southeast Louisiana to use the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System for joint replacement. This advanced technology allows Ochsner's surgeons to pre-plan your procedure and accurately position the artificial joint, improving alignment and outcomes with approximately 99% accuracy.

In addition to total hip replacement (also called hip arthroplasty), Ochsner offers minimally invasive hip resurfacing. This is an option ideal for younger, active patients with hip arthritis. This bone-preserving procedure involves capping the femoral head (the top of the thigh bone) with a metal prosthesis instead of removing it entirely.

Most patients begin physical therapy on the same day as their hip replacement surgery, which helps prevent blood clots and promotes faster recovery.

Before your total joint replacement surgery, you’ll attend a comprehensive education class to help prepare for your procedure and recovery. This two-hour seminar is led by a team of specialists, including a physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse and social worker, who will guide you and your family through what to expect.

The class covers every stage of your joint replacement journey including care before surgery, what happens during the procedure and steps for recovery after surgery. You’ll also meet members of Ochsner's care team who will support you throughout your hip or knee replacement experience.

Topics covered include:

• Discharge planning
• Family training
• Home health
• Nursing care
• Pain management
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and therapy and wellness
• Self-care education
• Total hip replacement education

"I'm just sincerely thankful and appreciative to all of the staff at the Ochsner Elite Facility. You can tell Ochsner really cares for what they do, it's not just a job for them. There's true purpose in the work that's done here, and I'm just extremely thankful, and I personally know that I would not be an Ironman today without the staff and the facility that is here." - Matthew P., hip injury patient.

• Nationally ranked as “High Performing” in hip replacement and hip fracture care by U.S. News & World Report. 

The risk for arthritis and injuries to joints increases as people age. If you have hip pain that is keeping you from completing daily activities (such as climbing stairs, walking the dog or grocery shopping) or preventing you from living your life, and medication and more conservative treatments just aren’t helping, you might be a candidate for hip replacement, also called hip arthroplasty.

While every person is different, you will likely feel pain in your hip region, which consists of your groin, buttock, upper leg and lower back.

While timing can vary, most people start feeling much better within 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. During this time, you’ll likely be able to walk with some help and do light activities. By 3 months, many people are back to doing most of their normal daily tasks, and by 6 months to a year, you should feel close to fully recovered. The key to a smooth recovery is following your doctor’s advice, doing your physical therapy exercises and being patient with yourself. 

There are a few types of hip replacement surgeries, and the right one for you depends on your specific needs. Here’s a quick overview:

• Total hip replacement: This is the most common type. Both the ball (top of the thigh bone) and the socket (part of the hip joint) are replaced with artificial parts.
• Partial hip replacement: In this surgery, only the ball of the hip joint is replaced. It’s often done for certain types of hip fractures.
• Hip resurfacing: Instead of replacing the entire ball, the surgeon reshapes it and covers it with a metal cap. This option is less common and usually for younger, more active patients.

Your doctor will help you decide which type is best for you based on your age, activity level and overall health.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question because the “best” method depends on you. Factors like your age, activity level, overall health and the condition of your hip all play a role in deciding the right approach. Some common methods include traditional hip replacement, minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted techniques. Each has its own benefits. For example, minimally invasive surgery may lead to a quicker recovery, while robotic-assisted surgery can offer extra precision. Your orthopedic team will work with you to choose the method that fits your needs and gives you the best chance for a smooth recovery and long-term success.