Hip Replacement

Candidates

Candidates for Hip Replacement Surgery

For a patient to be considered for hip replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon must see evidence on an X-ray of significant damage to the articular cartilage. Major indications for hip replacement surgery include:

• Pain deep in the groin, buttock or upper thigh
• Pain that keeps someone awake at night
• Little or no relief from pain and anti-inflammatory medications
• Difficulty walking up and down stairs or putting on shoes and socks
• Trouble standing up from a seated position
• Having to quit enjoyable activities because of too much pain

Factors that may disqualify someone from hip replacement surgery include:

• Disabling heart disease
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• An active infection
• Very poor overall health

Many medical problems can be stabilized to allow hip replacement surgery, if necessary.