Are You too Young for Hip Replacement Surgery?

“Am I too young to undergo hip replacement surgery?”

Is the most common question we were often asked by our patients of all age groups at our Joints & Sports Clinic. There are few surgeries which are often considered to be associated with ageing elders and hip replacement belongs to the same category.

Do you have the same question? Then the answer is no, there is no specific age for hip replacement surgery. The surgery is directly dependent on the severity of hip disability than age and hence there is no specific age requirement for undergoing a successful hip replacement surgery. Need more information? Then read on:

Not All Hip Problems Need A Hip Replacement Surgery:

Surgery remains the most effective option available to treat debilitating hip pain. But not all hip problems require surgery. As soon as the orthopaedist or joint specialist determine the root cause of the pain, based on the underlying cause of pain and severity of symptoms and treatment plan is designed. And it often starts with non-surgical options available that include, anti-inflammatory pills, pain medications or injections; weight loss, dietary supplements restricted activity during painful episodes, and only when all these options fail to provide relief, a hip replacement surgery is recommended by an orthopaedist or joint replacement surgeon.

After hip replacement surgery remains to be the only option, there are again several factors (mainly the health status) and presence of other medical problems like diabetes, obesity, joint disease and symptoms or even mental health which play a crucial in role in deciding the progress of surgery. A joint replacement surgeon recommends the hip replacement surgery only when all the checks are cleared and it is proven to improve the hip condition of the patient and following the approval, the hip replacement surgery can be performed irrespective of age given the physical health and mental health of the patient is sound. So yes, hip replacements can be successfully performed for any patient if the hip disability and problems can only be solved by the hip replacement surgery.

Hip Replacement for the Young – Risks & Challenges:

The only concern for younger patients is related to the longevity of the joint. Given the average age of the hip implants is considered to be 10 years, the problem of them wearing out is brought into question. However, it must be noted that the average age in which the majority of the patients are above age 55. The average age of hip replacement implants when adjusted to the younger patients is as high as 18 years

In summary, if the non-surgical treatment options fail to provide relief for the hip problems, hip replacement surgery can be performed by a joint replacement surgeon regardless of age. In case you are looking for hip replacement surgery and have more questions regarding the procedure, its efficacy, results and recovery expert orthopaedist and joint replacement surgeon Dr Chirag Patel can help you with all the required information.