Answer

Hello Ira,

The best treatment for extensive hip arthritis that greatly hampers activities of daily living is hip replacement. The diseased cartilages, bone spurs & worn out bone does not respond to medications. If mobility is compromised for a long time, then general health deteriorates rapidly.

The science of joint replacement has made great progress in the recent years. The techniques of surgery, geometry of the implants, fixation techniques & postoperative protocols have changed a lot.

Nowadys joint replacements are very successful operations. They are commonly done in elderly patients. There are some reservations in 80+ age group, because of old age, delayed wound healing, lower immunity , associated co-morbidities , more fragile bones & many other reasons. But still it is a gratifying opeartion for most patients.

One more thing, the success of this operation also depends on how much the patient is motivated to follow the postoperative mobilisation & physiotherapy protocols. The ultimate goal of this surgery is mobility & freedom from pain. This goal is achieved not on the opearting table, but postopeartively.

If your wife has very serious, uncontrolled medical conditions that might compromise her ability to mobilise & do physiotherapy postoperatively, or cause anesthesia to be very risky, then you should not consider joint replacement. Otherwise, even with reservations, it is a gratifing operation for most patients including elderly patients.

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Please note that the information provided is not a substitute to medical advice.