The ball joint of the human hip may be small (about the size of a tangerine), but it has a big job to do. During normal everyday movements, like rolling out of bed in the morning, two times your body weight is forced on your hip. And when you run, your hip endures up to six times your body weight. “It’s a relatively small joint for the activities it helps us do,” says Eric Chassin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. “When it wears out, every movement can be painful.”

If your hip has been damaged by osteoarthritis, trauma or other conditions, even simple movements, like walking, can hurt. For many patients, the only chance at an active and pain-free life is a hip replacement. “A hip replacement not only keeps people walking, it allows them to do the stuff they love to do,” Dr. Chassin says.

New hip, new lease on life
During hip replacement surgery, the orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone of the ball and socket and replaces it with specialized metal, plastic or ceramic materials to restore alignment and function of the hip. With these advanced materials, patients can expect their new hip to last for about 15 years.

Recovery from hip replacement surgery is key to restoring form and function. Depending on the patient, their age and lifestyle, they may be in the hospital anywhere from one to four days after surgery. “We give them a little more therapy each day,” Dr. Chassin says. For more fragile patients, Adventist Midwest Health offers dedicated home care therapy to get patients moving in the comfort of their own home. From there, outpatient physical therapy is needed to help patients regain hip function and mobility. “In general, patients are almost fully recovered within three months,” Dr. Chassin says. “As long as patients are improving with physical therapy, we want them to keep going to they can achieve maximal function.”

Still, a major decision
Although a hip replacement can get patients back to the activities they enjoy, Dr. Chassin stresses that it’s still major surgery that needs careful consideration. “It’s really a quality of life decision,” he says. For patients considering surgery, Dr. Chassin believes in arming them with information before making an individualized decision. This means weighing the benefits, expectations and risks of surgery.

The Joint Success classes at Adventist Midwest Health are geared toward just that. These classes give patients a chance to ask questions, see the materials being used and understand the roles of each care team member, which reduces anxiety.

Your results-driven doctor
Every doctor cares about the success of their patients – Dr. Chassin takes it one step further. When patients sign up for surgery, they receive his personal cell phone number. “If patients have a problem or they’re afraid, I’d rather have them just call me so we can fix the problem right away,” he says. Creating quick solutions is also why he makes house calls when necessary. “For me, it’s practical and patients love it,” he says.

If hip pain is hampering your life, call 866-533-7968 to find an orthopedic surgeon.