How Hip Replacement Can Help You Sleep

Moderate to severe hip pain affects your day-to-day activities and overall quality of life. Therapy and other non-surgical solutions help with pain temporarily but the relief may only last for a short period of time.

Direct anterior approach hip replacement surgery is a form of total hip replacement. Not only is it minimally invasive, but also offers less pain and faster recovery time. Like traditional total hip replacement, the anterior approach is designed to achieve the same result. 

Why undergo hip replacement?

• Osteoarthritis - Inflammation and deterioration of the joint due to extensive use (athletes or the elderly).
• Rheumatoid arthritis - An autoimmune disease that can destroy many joints.
• Osteonecrosis - Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is the result of disruption of the circulation. With decreased or no blood supply the bone becomes fragile and can collapse.
• Osteonecrosis - Usually due to trauma or steroids.
• Trauma - Injury to the joint may require hip replacement either immediately or years later.

Whatever the cause of pain, the discomfort can interfere with your overall health, such as sleep. Movement during the night can result in sufficient pain to wake you and make it difficult to get back to sleep. You find yourself waking up every morning in pain. Chronic sleep disruption can have many serious effects such as increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, anxiety and even weight gain.

The anterior approach limits surgical damage to muscles and joint capsule because the surgeon does not have to cut them. Instead, they are gently separated, so work can be done in between them. This results in a significant reduction in post-operative pain and a shorter recovery time.

Typically, patients are able to return to normal activities shortly after the procedure. However, patients are encouraged to avoid strenuous activity for at least four weeks. Studies have shown that patients are walking on their own up to 6 days earlier than those who have had the traditional surgery. Additionally, there is a lower chance of post-operative risk of hip dislocation.

You will find yourself able to sleep again without pain, able to get back to a life without pain. If you have been suffering from chronic hip pain resulting in chronic sleep deprivation, contact Dr. Rubin's office for an appointment to determine if anterior hip replacement is right for you.