Debunking a Myth as Old as Time: Hip Replacement is the Only Answer to Hip Pain
Nearly one in four people over the age of 60 will experience hip pain, whether from arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, fractures from accidents, or simply “wear and tear” on the hips over the years [1]. If hip pain interferes with daily activities, the only answer usually presented to those suffering is hip replacement. However, there are actually a plethora of risks that come with this surgery, as well as a very limiting recovery period that can last up to 12 weeks. Most of the time, full hip strength is not restored until 6 to 12 months [2].
During a hip replacement, also called hip arthroplasty, a surgeon removes damaged sections of the hip joint and replaces them with an artificial joint, which is usually constructed of metal, ceramic, or hard plastic. Because of the introduction of foreign materials into the body, there are many risks during surgery including healthy portions of the hip joint fracturing, nerve damage, and the legs resulting in two different lengths (due to the artificial joint being disproportionate to natural joints). Not to mention after surgery, many patients run into issues such as blood clots, infections, and dislocation or loosening of the joint over time. Sometimes the prosthetic joint will even wear out to the extent that a second replacement is needed. The recovery process from a hip replacement can be painful and long, and is not guaranteed to restore the hip to its full function prior to the onset of pain. This means many hip replacement patients do not return to high-impact activities such as running or competitive sports [2].
Okay, so hip replacement sounds pretty risky – what are my other options?
The good news is that if you don’t want to sign up for tons of risk and a painful, long recovery process, there is a much better solution for your hip pain*. Regnexx offers stem cell therapy treatments to relieve and heal hip pain or damage naturally. These procedures utilize precise image guidance, which ensures stem cells are delivered successfully to the exact location of the injury. These injected cells concentrate around the injury, working as a natural healing mechanism. Most patients are encouraged to walk the same day, with little to no down time from the procedure.
Check out the video below for an inside scoop on what a hip stem cell procedure looks like.
https://youtu.be/Gdrwf2-Tw8I
*Please note that Regenexx does not typically recommend stem cell procedures for extreme hip arthritis.
Proven Results
Our procedures are not only completely legal, but also proven to work. Take a look at our registry, which tracks the success rate of our procedures using patient-reported outcomes of long term joint function, pain, and overall improvement. We know our patients value getting back to the activities they love — whether that is walking, running, skiing, or high-level sports — and our procedures allow them to do just that. The registry above shows that over time, patients’ joint function only improves, pain only decreases, and overall joint improvement increases after undergoing one of our procedures.
To find out if stem cell procedures are more right for you than hip replacement, or for more information, please get in touch with us.
References
[1] https://www.lifeline.ca/en/blog-article/hip-pain-in-seniors/
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hip-replacement/about/pac-20385042
