It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that there's trouble ahead for America's seniors. More and more older adults are in need of a total hip revision surgery. Nearly 18 per cent of all total hip replacements done in the United States have to be revised at some point. Current estimates are that in the next 20 years, the need for total hip revisions will increase dramatically.

Patients and surgeons alike are interested in a painless and speedy recovery after a total hip replacement (THR). Can it be done? Well, it hasn't been accomplished yet, but efforts are being made to move in that direction. The use of minimally invasive (MI) procedures may be an important development toward achieving this goal.

I had total hip replacement surgery on my left hip nearly two years ago...that leg is now just over 1 inch longer than the right and is in constant pain all of the time - an 8 on the pain chart - i am having revision surgery in the next few weeks...the doctors performing my revision (NOT the one who did my initial surgery and obviously can't read a tape measure!) have ruled out other causes of my pain and attribute it directly to the length issue...i am considering a malpractice lawsuit against the intitial doctor and have been told that +/- 1cm length difference (just under 1/2") is the maxim

I was born with a hip dislocation in both my hips. My parents refuse to have the surgery option & the other optioned failed. I have no pain & I can walk normally. Now, I'm 23 & I have this question that I want an answer for it. Is it okay to get pregnant, will there be any complication?

As more and more adults in the United States get total hip replacements, the number of revision (second) surgeries has also gone up. Experts say the reasons for this may be three-fold: patients are younger, many patients of all ages are more active, and implants aren't designed to last long enough.

Nerve blocks are somewhat new in the postoperative management of pain after total hip replacements. The idea is to block sensation to the nerve to the hip muscles. With less pain, you'll feel more like moving, and that's an important key to a quick and successful recovery.

Patients are surprised after a total hip replacement by how much it can hurt those first few days. They do okay while sitting or resting, but once they get up to move it can be another story. That's why surgeons are working hard to find ways to control pain. And they would like to do so without using opioids (narcotics) because of the many side effects.

Impingement just means pinching. In the hip impingement typically occurs where the round head of the femur (thigh bone) comes in contact with the acetabulum or hip socket. Since there are always potential problems with surgery, conservative (nonoperative) care is usually suggested for this problem before considering a more invasive approach.

The full medical term for this problem is femoroacetabular impingement. Impingement just means pinching. Femoroacetabular refers to the place in the hip where the round head of the femur (thigh bone) comes in contact with the acetabulum or hip socket. Two types of impingement are known to cause pinching of the soft tissues in this area.

Patients are surprised after a total hip replacement by how much it can hurt those first few days. They do okay while sitting or resting, but once they get up to move: ouch! Surgeons are working hard to find ways to control that pain without using opioids (narcotics) with their many side effects.