Are You a Candidate for Hip Replacement?

Chronic hip pain that limits your daily life is one of the clearest signs you need hip replacement, but it’s not always obvious when conservative treatment has run its course. At Advanced Bone & Joint, we walk patients through every option before recommending surgery, so you can make a confident, informed decision.

What Are the Signs You Need Hip Replacement?

Hip pain becomes a candidacy conversation when it starts interfering with basic movement and quality of life. Recognizing these signs early can help you get relief sooner rather than pushing through months of unnecessary discomfort.

Common signs that hip replacement may be the right next step include:

• Hip pain that persists even at rest or disrupts sleep
• Stiffness that makes it hard to put on shoes or get in and out of a car
• Pain that limits walking distance or causes a noticeable limp
• Reduced response to medication, injections, or physical therapy
• Pain that interferes with work, hobbies, or basic daily tasks

If several of these apply to you, it’s worth scheduling an evaluation with a hip specialist to assess how advanced the joint damage has become.

Is Hip Replacement or Conservative Treatment Right for You?

Not every patient with hip pain needs surgery right away. Conservative treatment is almost always tried first, and for many patients it provides enough relief to delay or avoid replacement altogether.

Conservative options typically include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication and activity modification
• Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles supporting the hip
• Corticosteroid or other ultrasound-guided injections to reduce inflammation
• Weight management to reduce stress on the joint

Hip replacement becomes the more appropriate option when these treatments no longer provide meaningful relief, or when imaging shows advanced joint damage that conservative care cannot reverse. Our providers, who specialize in minimally invasive anterior-approach hip replacement, will walk you through both paths so you understand the trade-offs before deciding.

What Happens at a Hip Replacement Consultation?

A hip replacement consultation starts with a review of your symptoms, medical history, and any prior treatments you’ve tried. Your provider will also perform a physical exam to check your range of motion, strength, and gait.

Imaging, usually an X-ray, helps confirm the extent of joint damage and rules out other causes of pain. From there, your provider will explain whether you’re a candidate for hip replacement now, whether conservative treatment should continue, or whether additional testing is needed before a decision is made.

You’ll leave the consultation with a clear next step, whether that’s a treatment plan, a surgery date, or a follow-up timeline to reassess your symptoms.

Schedule Your Hip Replacement Consultation at Advanced Bone & Joint

If hip pain is limiting your daily life, the team at Advanced Bone & Joint can help you determine whether hip replacement or continued conservative care is the right path forward. Our hip and knee specialists provide honest, personalized guidance at every step. Request an appointment today at our St. Peters, O’Fallon, or Wentzville location.

Contact Us