Hip pain is a common symptom among many adults, with roughly one in five individuals over the age of 65 reporting the issue. While persistent discomfort in this major joint can make daily life challenging and uncomfortable, most patients should take caution when considering hip replacement surgery. The invasive procedure comes with the following considerations.
Need for Repeat Surgeries
Hip replacement surgeries are not always a one-and-done solution to hip problems. Artificial hips have a maximum lifespan of two decades. Thus, if you’re middle-aged or younger, you’ll likely need at least one more surgery down the road. For this reason, many patients aim to delay the procedure as long as possible. Of course, being of advanced age also leads to higher risks with any surgery, so people considering hip replacements are faced with a unique dilemma when trying to pinpoint the best window.
High Medical Bills
The average cost for hip replacement surgery is $32,000. Even if your insurance will cover the procedure, you’ll likely wind up paying your entire annual out-of-pocket cost with this surgery alone. If your insurance won’t cover the surgery, the procedure may not be a feasible solution.
Long Recovery Periods
One of the biggest barriers to hip replacements is its long recovery period. While you may be encouraged to start walking the day of your procedure, it can take up to six weeks to make a full recovery. Of course, individual factors such as weight, prior activity level, and overall health can also affect surgical outcomes and recovery times. There are also risks for complications which can delay healing, including infection, hip dislocations, and bone fractures.
Are there other options?
Fortunately, there are alternatives to hip replacement available. Patients are increasingly turning to regenerative medicine therapies, such as stem cell treatment, to leverage the body’s natural healing agents. Stem cell therapy is fast becoming a popular alternative to surgery for conditions such as arthritis and musculoskeletal injuries, as the process is safe, effective, and minimally invasive. Find out if you could be a good candidate by contacting a Care Coordinator for a free assessment.
This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for the joints, also known as stem cell therapy for joints! Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
