Hip replacement may be worth considering when ongoing hip pain, stiffness, and limited mobility interfere with everyday life and no longer respond to nonsurgical care. Learning the common signs can help you decide when it’s time to discuss your options with an orthopedic surgeon.
Since 1966, Union County Orthopaedic Group has provided orthopedic care in Linden, Clark, and Union, NJ. Among the practice’s orthopedic physicians is Dr. Mark N. Ghobrial, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who completed fellowship training in adult reconstruction and specializes in hip and knee replacement and revision surgery.
Below are some signs hip replacement could be a good choice for you.
Hip Pain Is Limiting Your Daily Activities
Occasional soreness doesn’t always mean you need surgery. However, it may be time to discuss hip replacement when pain repeatedly makes routine activities difficult.
You might struggle with:
- Walking through a store
- Climbing stairs
- Getting in or out of a car
- Rising from a chair
- Putting on shoes and socks
- Standing long enough to cook or complete household tasks
A damaged hip can also change the way you walk. Limping or shifting your weight away from the painful hip can alter your gait and contribute to discomfort elsewhere in the lower body.
Pain Continues While You’re Resting
Hip arthritis often causes discomfort during movement, but advanced joint damage may also hurt when you’re sitting or lying down. Nighttime pain can interrupt sleep and leave you tired the following day.
Pain at rest doesn’t automatically mean that surgery is required. It does suggest that your condition warrants closer evaluation, particularly when symptoms become more frequent or severe.
Nonsurgical Treatments Aren’t Providing Enough Relief
Before recommending surgery, an orthopedic specialist may discuss options such as medication, activity changes, physical therapy, assistive devices, or injections. The right treatment depends on the cause and symptom severity.
Hip replacement becomes a more likely consideration when these measures no longer provide meaningful relief.
Your Mobility and Independence Are Declining
A painful hip can gradually shrink your routine. You may stop exercising, avoid outings, rely more heavily on family members, or worry about walking on uneven ground.
Discuss Your Hip Replacement Options
You don’t need to wait until you can barely walk before seeking help. An orthopedic evaluation can clarify what’s causing your symptoms and whether continued nonsurgical care or hip replacement makes sense for you.
For an assessment with Union County Orthopaedic Group in Linden, Clark, or Union, NJ, contact us or call the Linden office at (908) 486-1111, the Clark office at (732) 388-1761, or the Union office at