Am I Too Young for a Hip Replacement?

When you think of joint replacement surgery, you probably imagine senior patients getting the new joint. But hip replacement surgery isn’t just for the elderly. Instead, it’s a procedure that can bring any person — at any age — a dramatic amount of relief. If you live with chronic hip pain, you shouldn’t be afraid to explore all of your options, including hip replacement surgery.   

At Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists, our orthopedic specialists — Megan Friend, MD, Christopher Highfill, MD, William Bartley Hosick, MD, John Kim, MD, and Kevin Peltier, MD — are available to talk with you about your options for finding hip pain relief. Make an appointment at our offices in Manassas and Haymarket, Virginia, to learn more about a hip replacement and when it might be right for you. 

Determining if you’re a candidate for a hip replacement

Historically, some medical professionals only recommended hip replacements late in life when the artificial hip was all but guaranteed to last the remainder of the patient’s life. But replacement hips have advanced significantly over the years. 

A recent study looked at more than 60,000 people who received hip replacements. After two decades, only 15% of those individuals needed revision surgery. Hip replacements are lasting longer and helping people enjoy a dramatic improvement in their quality of life for decades. In fact, there are no age restrictions on when you can decide to get a new hip. 

If you live with daily hip pain, make an appointment with our team at Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists. Any of our experienced hip pain specialists can perform a thorough evaluation for you. During your evaluation, you’ll talk about your hip pain, the way it affects you, and your goals for treatment. Your doctor may also perform a physical exam. Based on this evaluation, our team can help you determine if now’s the right time to replace your hip or if you’d be better served by exploring other treatments first. 

Generally, we explore surgery with you if you suffer from hip pain that:

• Hasn’t responded to other, more conservative treatments
• Continually limits your mobility
• Limits your ability to do things you love
• Causes you pain on a regular basis 

At the end of the day, we strive to help you best understand all of your hip pain treatment options. 

What to expect if you choose a hip replacement

If you decide a hip replacement is right for you, we talk you through the entire process, from your procedure itself to your recovery period. We also help you determine if traditional hip replacement surgery or surgery with MAKOplasty® — minimally invasive robotic hip replacement — is best for you. 

After your procedure, our team offers continual support throughout your healing process. You have access to rehabilitation and physical therapy services from the comfort of our office. 

You don’t have to live with continual hip pain. If you’re ready to start exploring your treatment options, call our office or schedule an appointment online today.