Causes of chronic hip pain

The largest joint in your body, the hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The end of your thigh bone (femur) fits into the socket (acetabulum). The joint is lined with cartilage to cushion the bones and help them move smoothly without friction. Muscles, tendons and ligaments support the hip joint.

Several factors can damage the cartilage that cushions your hip joint, including:

• Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone which can causes pain and stiffness
• Rheumatoid arthritis: This autoimmune disease can cause joint pain and damage throughout your body
• Age-related wear and tear
• Sports injuries
• Traumatic accidents

When the cartilage wears away, the bones grind against each other instead of gliding. This causes pain and stiffness and affects the joint’s ability to move properly. An artificial hip joint (prosthesis) can replace the damaged joint, reduce pain and restore movement.

Symptoms of chronic hip pain

Some of the most common symptoms of chronic hip pain may include:

• Pain between the hip and knee during exercise, sleep or when walking
• Hip or groin soreness after exercise
• Stiffness in the hips
• Difficulty bending or squatting
• Hip swelling and tenderness

Types of hip replacement surgery

Total Hip Joint Replacement
In a total hip replacement, our surgeons remove the damaged bone and cartilage from your hip joint, including the femoral head or the “ball” of the hip joint and the surface of the hip socket. These are replaced with metal or plastic components.

Partial Hip Joint Replacement
If the socket of your hip joint is healthy, a partial hip replacement may be the better choice for you. In a partial hip replacement, our surgeons remove and replace the head of the femur and leave the socket untouched.

Customized Hip Joint Replacement
In certain cases, your surgeon might recommend a customized (patient-specific) hip replacement to repair the damage to your hip joint.

Rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery

Most patients spend one or two days in the hospital following surgery. Your rehabilitation may begin in the hospital, often as soon as the day of surgery. Under the supervision of your surgeon, you will begin working with physical and occupational therapists to gain strength and flexibility while getting used to your new joint.

• You’ll start by standing and taking a few steps away from the bed. You may be walking up and down the halls using a walker the day after surgery.
• Most patients return to work and activities they enjoy, depending on the physical demands, within 6 to 12 weeks.
• Plan to follow an individualized program of strengthening and physical therapy for two to three months following surgery.

Find a trusted hip replacement surgeon near you

NorthBay is the trusted source for hip replacement surgery. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons, staff and support services can help you regain your active lifestyle with two Orthopedic Centers in Vacaville and Fairfield.

We offer Video Visits for some specialty care appointments. If you are interested in scheduling a Video Visit, contact the provider’s office directly. The doctor’s office will work with you to determine if this is the right type of visit for you.

If you are suffering from sudden unexpected bone injury or sprain, our Orthopedic Urgent Care provides high-quality care to patients when it is needed most. Book an appointment below for same-day access to comprehensive services at our NorthBay Center for Orthopedics in Fairfield.