Am I Too Young for a Hip Replacement?

When you think about hip replacement surgery, you may think it’s a procedure only for older people with serious hip injuries. But the truth is surgical advancements have made this type of surgery an option for a much younger crowd.

At Ortho San Antonio, our board-certified orthopedic surgeon Cody Covington, MD, specializes in total hip replacement surgeries to help you achieve long-lasting pain relief and improved joint mobility.

Because the decision to have hip surgery is a major one, we provide comprehensive resources to help you make the best decision for you.

What to know about hip replacement surgery

The total hip replacement surgery services available at our office involve the removal of your entire hip joint. Dr. Covington then replaces it with an artificial device that functions just like your natural joint. The device is made of plastic and metal components that work similarly to the ball and socket joint of your hip.

You might be considered a candidate for hip replacement surgery as young as your 30s or 40s if you have chronic hip pain that’s not treatable with nonsurgical strategies like physical therapy.

The most common conditions treated with a total hip replacement include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Severe hip joint fractures

The goals of surgery are to relieve your pain and restore the alignment of your hip, so you can walk, run, and climb stairs with ease. We also offer after-care services to improve your hip function as you heal from your procedure.

Advancements in hip replacement surgery

Years ago, hip replacement surgery was a treatment option geared more toward the older population due to the limitations of earlier artificial hip joints. Previously, the devices surgeons used to replace your natural hip joint weren’t designed for highly active patients, and they couldn’t keep up with the lifestyles of younger people. 

Today’s artificial hip joints are made with much stronger, more durable materials. This makes hip replacement surgery for younger adults who lose their mobility early because of severe hip trauma or hereditary conditions like juvenile arthritis. 

Dr. Covington also uses advanced robotic surgical techniques to replace your hip joint with a higher level of precision to minimize your recovery time and reduce your risk for postsurgical complications.

Benefits of robotic total hip replacement

The state-of-the-art robotic surgery system at Ortho San Antonio allows Dr. Covington to create a 3D scan of your hip joint, so he can personalize a surgery plan to your needs.

During your surgery, Dr. Covington controls a set of computer-guided robotic arms that hold specialized surgical instruments. He only needs to make small incisions over your hip joint to remove damaged bone and tissue.

Using the robotic arms, Dr. Covington also maintains greater control over the placement of your new artificial hip joint to ensure it functions optimally.

Smaller incisions and less trauma to surrounding tissue mean you can expect to recover faster than you might after traditional open surgery. You also have a reduced risk of bleeding, infection, and pain during recovery.

You no longer have to be limited by chronic hip pain. Call the Ortho San Antonio office near you to schedule a hip replacement consultation or book an appointment online today.