Hip replacement surgery is a common medical solution for relieving pain and restoring mobility. While many undergo this procedure, few realize the specific reasons that can lead to this decision. Today, we’ll explain why some hips need replacements as we dive into factors like genetics, wear, and more.
Genetics and Your Hips
Your DNA can influence everything from your eye color to how your hips age. Some people inherit structural quirks in their hip joints, which can lead to problems like early-onset arthritis. For example, a family history of hip dysplasia, where the hip socket doesn’t form properly, increases your chances of joint deterioration over time.
Genetics can dictate cartilage thickness, which acts as a cushion in your joints. Some people naturally have thinner cartilage, leaving their hips vulnerable to wear and tear earlier in life. If your family has a history of hip-related issues, a conversation with your doctor about early monitoring can help you prepare and prevent future complications.
Wear and Tear Over Time
Everyday movement impacts your hips far more than you realize. Walking, sitting, and small shifts in your position create friction in the bones and tissues of your joints. Over decades, this constant use can wear down the cartilage that protects your hip sockets.
Without this buffer, joints suffer from painful bone-on-bone contact. Conditions like osteoarthritis, which result from this gradual degradation, limit mobility and make routine activities difficult. Think of it as the tread on a tire wearing away after years of driving.
While some wear is inevitable, staying physically active with lower-impact exercises like swimming or cycling can reduce strain and preserve your hips longer.
Injuries That Don’t Heal Correctly
Some hips need replacements due to sports accidents, car crashes, or falls. Hip fractures, particularly common in older individuals, often require surgery. However, improperly healed injuries can leave you with uneven weight distribution or weakened joints.
The knock-on effect includes faster cartilage breakdown or the creation of bone spurs, which can seriously limit movement. Over time, these issues may lead to a total hip replacement surgery.
If you injure your hip, always seek medical care immediately. Prompt treatment increases your chances of full recovery and minimizes future risk.
Weight and Its Impact on Your Joints
Carrying extra weight puts additional stress on your hips. Over time, this extra pressure accelerates joint wear, contributing to pain and stiffness as the cartilage deteriorates faster.
People with obesity may experience earlier-onset arthritis due to this extra strain. But small lifestyle changes, such as adjusting your diet or incorporating gentle exercises, can help your hips and your overall health.
Medical Conditions Affecting Joint Health
Certain medical conditions may cause hip problems. For example, rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, damages joint tissue and triggers chronic inflammation. Osteonecrosis disrupts blood flow to the hip bone and causes bone tissue to die.
Without timely care, either condition can harm the joint. If you manage any chronic medical conditions, consult your doctor regularly to catch and manage these risks early. Your doctor may recommend treatments or therapies that postpone or prevent the need for replacement surgery.
