Alternatives to Hip Replacement

Patients who suffer from various forms of arthritis, necrosis and other diseases often experience intense hip, back, leg pain and decreased mobility. In certain cases, a doctor may recommend a total hip replacement, a surgical procedure that involves the head of the femur bone and the socket it rests in being replaced with metal or plastic parts. Due to the highly invasive nature and potential complications of the surgery, however, many patients seek alternatives to a total hip replacement.

Lifestyle Changes

• One of the easiest alternatives to a hip replacement is simple lifestyle modification. Most patients who suffer from conditions that may suggest a hip replacement as a solution can benefit from limiting prolonged standing or walking as these activities place more strain on the hip joint. Using a cane or walker to ease pressure on the affected hip is often helpful when patients must walk.

  Overweight patients may consider discussing a healthy weight-loss plan that includes low-impact or no-impact exercise with their physicians as a way to help eliminate overstressing the hip.

Medications and Supplements

• Arthritis pain is caused primarily by inflammation of the joints. Since many candidates for hip replacement have problems causes by arthritis non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed to help ease arthritis pain and inflammation.

  Corticosteroids are an option if NSAIDs fail to ease the patient's symptoms, though they are usually only used for short periods due to the increased risk of serious side effects with prolonged use. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may help ease hip arthritis symptoms. According to the Orthopaedic Associates of Green Bay, active research is being done to determine the effectiveness of the supplements, though many patients who take glucosamine and chondroitin regularly report improvement in their arthritis symptoms.

Physical Therapy and Exercise

• Exercises to improve mobility and strengthen the affected hip can help eliminate pain and stiffness of the hip. A doctor will often prescribe physical therapy for patients suffering from chronic hip pain before exploring the option of a hip replacement. Exercises are low- to no-impact, and many patients benefit greatly from an aquatic exercise program since it provides the needed resistance to strengthen the hip muscles and joints, while eliminating heavyweight bearing.

Hip Resurfacing

• Hip resurfacing is a technique that provides a suitable alternative to a total hip replacement for patients who have not experienced significant relief from medication or other treatment methods. New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in the United States to implement the procedure in 2006, which involves shaving off a few centimeters of bone and capping the joint surfaces with a metal implant similar to a tooth cap.

  The implant is made to last longer than a traditional hip replacement, making it especially ideal for younger and active patients. It also reduces the risks of incorrect leg length and dislocation, both of which are more common in patients who undergo a total hip replacement.