Determine if Hip Replacement Surgery is Right for You
When pain and immobilization become severe and threaten our way of life, it's time to find out what options are available. You'll need information to determine if hip replacement surgery is right for you.
Instructions
1. Talk to your doctor. He or she will be able to give you their honest opinion on whether your pain is getting in the way of your daily activities enough that it outweighs the risks. He or she will also evaluate whether the pain is out of the spectrum of control with arthritis pain medication.
2. Decide if surgery is excessive for you. Surgery may be an option if you are experiencing severe loss of movement and function, or the pain is so bad that you can't stand it, even with the use of prescription pain medication and walking aids.
3. Have x-rays of your hip taken. This will determine if you have arthritis that is advanced and determine the severity of other problems, and whether hip replacement surgery will correct those problems adequately.
4. Ask yourself and your doctor questions to decide if you can tolerate surgery and anesthesia. Are you generally in good health? Are you at a high risk for infection? Do you have a chronic disease or severe muscle weakness?
5. Ensure the hip will last. If you are overweight or have a physically strenuous job, your body may not be able to support your false hip, and the surgery and risk will have been a waste of time, money and pain. Doctors prefer to wait until a patient is closer to retirement and at a normal weight before recommending hip replacement surgery.
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