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We specialize in treating all types of hip pain and its underlying causes. Our orthopaedic surgeons do thousands of hip replacements each year for people from across the U.S. and around the world.
You probably don’t think too much about the occasional twinge in your hip. But when that twinge turns into a constant ache, it can upend your life.
Many things can cause hip pain. Some are easily treatable with lifestyle changes, physical therapy and pain relievers. Other times, your hip joint may be too damaged from wear and tear or an injury to recover. When that happens, it may be time to think about hip replacement surgery (hip arthroplasty).
Learning you may need surgery can leave you wondering how it all works. Cleveland Clinic’s orthopaedics team will explain every step in a way that’s relatable to you and your needs. We want you to feel informed, supported and confident from the moment you schedule your first appointment.
We specialize in treating all types of hip pain and its underlying causes. Our orthopaedic surgeons do thousands of hip replacements each year for people from across the U.S. and around the world.
Our orthopaedic providers have pioneered hip surgery techniques now used worldwide, including broader use of less invasive hip surgery, modern approaches, robotics and improved implants that support a more active lifestyle. Meet our team.
Not all appointments need to be in person. When you schedule a virtual visit, you can meet face-to-face with your providers without leaving home.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
Before we schedule surgery, we’ll want to spend time with you in an evaluation so we can learn more about your pain, symptoms and goals. What we learn will help us decide if hip replacement is best for you.
You know better than anyone how your hip pain affects your life. At your first appointment, we’ll ask you to share your story. How did the pain begin? Was it an injury? Did it come on gradually? Or did it just start out of the blue? And is it getting worse?
Then, we’ll go over your medical history and do a physical exam. We’ll check your hip strength, look for areas of pain and see how well you can walk and lift your leg. We’ll also measure your leg length to make sure that a future hip replacement can match your body and leave you feeling balanced and comfortable. We may also order imaging, like a hip X-ray or sometimes a CT scan or MRI, which can help us plan surgery.
All this helps us decide if a hip replacement is best for you. We’ll be looking for signs of many different things that can cause hip pain, like:
These are just a few conditions that can cause your hip to ache and swell. Not all require hip replacement surgery, so that’s why an evaluation is important. It helps make sure we find the right treatment for you — even if past ones haven’t been successful.
Getting treatment at Cleveland Clinic means you’ll benefit from our team-based approach to care. You’ll have a highly personalized team of providers from different specialties, depending on your needs. Your team works together to tailor your care plan to your needs and recovery goals, and could include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.
Once we confirm you’re a good candidate for hip replacement, we’ll start planning your surgery. There are different ways to approach a first-time hip replacement. We can also surgically repair or revise an existing hip replacement that has failed.
Your care team may set up something called a prehabilitation plan (prehab) before your surgery. This means you’ll have physical therapy (PT) before surgery to make sure your hips and legs are as strong as possible. We’ve found that doing prehab can cut recovery time and make it easier to move after surgery
There are many approaches to hip replacement surgery, including anterior, anterior-based muscle-sparing (ABMS), anterolateral, lateral and posterolateral. Everyone has different needs, unique bodies and specific requirements. Our surgeons perform all approaches, and that means we can tailor your care to provide the least invasive, safest and quickest recovery.
Our orthopaedics team specializes in robotic surgery. Your surgeon guides a robot’s arm during the surgery, making all decisions about movement and where to place the implant. They use tiny surgical tools through a small incision in this precise procedure. Robotic surgery has many benefits, including:
Hip replacements replace all or part of your hip joint and socket. These prostheses are often made from durable ceramic, or metal and plastic. The materials in your prosthesis could include titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, ceramic and polyethylene.
Your care team will decide if you need:
Most hip implants now last more than 20 years. But if yours wears out as you age, or you have a fall or infection, you may someday need another prosthesis. If this happens, you may have hip revision surgery. Our hip surgeons specialize in both first-time hip replacements and revision surgeries.
If you have hip replacement surgery, you may be able to go home the same day. Or you may stay in the hospital a night or two. It will depend in part on your pain level, how safely you can move and whether you’re medically stable.
Rehabilitation usually starts within 24 hours, while you’re still in the hospital. You’ll have daily physical therapy and continue exercises at home to rebuild strength and movement. Some people go to a rehab center before heading home. Rehab is a key part of recovery.
Your physical therapist will track your progress and adjust your exercises as needed. It may take weeks — or even months — to feel like you’re moving normally again. Sticking with your rehab plan can help you recover more smoothly.
Hip pain doesn’t have to hold you back. Hip replacement surgery can often ease your pain and get you moving again — often faster than you’d expect. When you’re ready, we’re here to help you all the way through.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic hip replacement experts is easy. We’re here to help you get the care you need.
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