Orthopedic Group, Inc

Hip Replacement Solutions in Rhode Island

Total Hip Replacement: Rhode Island & Massachusetts

Hip replacement has been performed for decades in the United States with great success, and is currently one of the safest surgical procedures being performed routinely. Options for hip replacements include total joint replacement, partial hip replacement, hip resurfacing, and direct anterior approach to hip replacement. Each procedure is performed to minimize hip pain and improve the patient's range of motion in the hip joint. Replacing the hip joint is used as a solution to treat patients suffering from a wide variety of hip disorders, including but not limited to: bone fractures, joint dislocation, hip bursitis, as well as degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

When to Seek Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is recommended for patients who suffer from hip pain and have already exhausted conservative methods of treatment. If noninvasive treatments, such as physical therapy, steroidal injections, or medication, have failed to sufficiently alleviate hip pain, replacing the affected hip joint with a new, prosthetic implant may be the best solution to return to normal levels of function.

Anatomy of the Hip Joint

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, and bears the majority of the body's weight. The hip joint is made up of two main bones: the femur, or thigh bone, and the pelvis. In this ball-and-socket joint, the femoral head acts as the rotating ball, and fits within the acetabulum, a concave surface located in the pelvis. The ball-and-socket design allows for a high level of stability as well as flexibility.

Between the femoral head and the acetabulum lies a layer of articular cartilage that provides cushioning for the joint. Additionally, a layer of synovial membrane provides lubrication to the joint and allows it to move freely.

If any of these components within the hip joint become diseased or damaged through traumatic injury or everyday wear-and-tear, significant hip pain can arise. Depending on the type of pain experienced, the attending orthopedic surgeon may recommend a number of treatment options.

Hip Replacement Procedure

When performing a hip replacement, the surgeon removes the diseased femoral head and fits it with a new, prosthetic component. This new head is supported by an implant that sits within the thigh bone and provides support for the new femoral head. The surgeon also removes the diseased acetabulum by scraping away the damaged cartilage and bone. The smooth surface is then fitted with a new acetabular component. The result is a hip joint that recreates the function and natural feel of the patient's original hip.

Partial Hip Resurfacing

Total hip replacement may not be necessary in active patients whose hip degeneration has not affected the entire joint. Hip resurfacing is an option that leaves more of the natural bone in place, providing a more attractive, less invasive solution.

Hip resurfacing leaves the femur mostly in tact, focusing on the acetablum to insert a new socket component. A few centimeters of the femoral head are shaved off in order to fit the new acetabulum.

Hip Replacement vs. Hip Resurfacing

The difference between hip resurfacing and hip replacement is often likened to the difference between a dental crown and pulling a tooth. Much like the femur in hip resurfacing, the healthy bone is preserved when putting a crown in place. Removing the entire tooth allows a dental prosthetic to be put in place, closely imitating the function of a normal tooth.

Orthopedic Excellence in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Because each patient is unique, the orthopedic surgeons at OGI will determine the best solution to relieve the patient's hip pain by considering the severity of the condition, as well as the individual needs of the patient. OGI employs 11 orthopedic surgeons with years of experience treating musculoskeletal disorders of all kinds, including sports injuries, arthritis, and more.

With offices in Pawtucket, Lincoln, and Bristol, Rhode Island, working in conjunction with our Attleboro, Massachusetts location, the expertise of Orthopedic Group, Inc. is never far.

Learn more about our orthopedic surgeons and schedule an appointment for a consultation regarding hip pain.

Useful Links

Pawtucket Office • 588 Pawtucket Ave. • Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860 • Toll Free: (800) 725-3037 • Tel: (401) 722-2400

Lincoln Office • 6 Blackstone Valley • Place Building 5, Suite 530 • Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865 • Tel: (401) 334-3700

Attleboro, MA Office • 16 Hillside Ave. • Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703 • Tel: (508) 222-4450

Bristol Office • 1180 Hope Street • Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 • Tel: (401) 722-2400