The fellowship-trained physicians at MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic are dedicated to diagnosing and treating your hip pain using modern non-operative and operative techniques. Your physician will:

• Ask you to indicate the severity of your knee pain on a pain scale.
• Ask questions regarding any other health conditions you may have.
• Conduct a physical exam to determine the range of motion in your hip, which may involve moving your legs in a certain way to demonstrate where the pain originates.
• Order a blood test to further evaluate the cause of your hip pain. An elevated white blood cell count raises suspicion of infection in your hip.
• Order an X-ray or MRI to determine if there are any problems, such as deterioration, with the structure of your hip.

If you suffer from severe hip pain, and non-surgical methods have not worked in managing your symptoms, you may be a candidate for hip replacement surgery.

Hip arthroplasty, or total hip replacement surgery, as performed by MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic located in Palos Hill and Mokena, is a minimally-invasive procedure involving one or two small incisions in the hip.

Once the incisions are made, the muscles surrounding the hip joint are split and detached from the bone, allowing the surgeon to dislocate the hip and remove the damaged femoral head, replacing it with a metal stem.

A ceramic or metal ball is then placed on the stem as a replacement for the femoral head, while damaged cartilage is stripped away and replaced with a metal socket. Finally, a metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and socket, allowing the ball and socket to glide comfortably together.

In most cases, Total Hip Replacement Surgery results in significant function restoration and pain reduction in 90-95% of patients. Being that this is a major procedure, full recovery usually takes three to six weeks. Your physician will outline a hip-strengthening physical therapy routine that will increase your mobility and help you return to daily life. Our Certified Physical Therapists (CPT) will aid in your recovery every step of the way.

At MidAmerica, we aim to provide the highest quality care marked by courtesy, respect and integrity. To make an appointment at Total Joint Clinic, or to learn more about MidAmerica’s Palos Hills and Mokena clinics and the different treatment options available to you, call (708) 237-7200. Most insurance plans are accepted.

If you would like to learn more about total hip replacement surgery, or other orthopaedic conditions, be sure to visit our blog.