Alternatives to Hip Replacement

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

About The Author
Dr. Paul Lieber

Dr. Paul Lieber

Dr. Paul Lieber

Dr. Paul Lieber

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At Regenexx Pittsburgh, we are foremost committed to the health and safety of our patients. Our team adheres strictly to COVID-19 protection protocols and ALL staff wear masks and are COVID-19 vaccinated.

Advanced IOF Certifications

Certified at the highest level for Ankle / Foot, Wrist / Hand, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, and Spine Intradiscal

Specialized Certifications

Top available certifications in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Bone Marrow and Adipose Aspirate, and Nucleated Cell Counting

Educational Certifications

Our doctors have earned both General Instructor as well as Spine Instructor certifications.

Knee

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Knee Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Meniscus Tears
  • Patellofemoral
  • Syndrome/Chondomalacia
  • ACL Tears + PCL, LCL & MCL Tears & Sprains
  • Patellar Tendonitis
  • Pes anersine bursitis
  • Baker’s cyst
  • Instability
  • Hamstrings Tendinopathy & Biceps Femoris Insertional Tendinopathy

Lower Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Lumbar Facet Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
  • SI Joint Syndrome
  • Many More Disc and Low Back Issues

Foot & Ankle

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Foot & Ankle Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Peroneal tendon tear or split
  • Ligament sprain or tear
  • Sub-talar arthritis or instability
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Bunions

Cervical Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Cervical Instability
  • Cervical Facet Injury
  • Neck, Back or Rib Instability
  • Many More Disc and Cervical Issues Causing Pain

Shoulder

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Shoulder Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Arthritis of the shoulder joint
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Labral tears or degeneration
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis & tendonosis
  • AC Joint Separation
  • Recurrent shoulder dislocations

Elbow

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Elbow Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
  • Nerve entrapment (ulnar nerve)

Hip

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Hip Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Labral / Labrum Tear

Hand & Wrist

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions.

View Details About Hand & Wrist Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Hand Arthritis
  • Basal Joint Arthritis or CMC / Carpometacarpal
  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • TFCC Tear
  • Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTrigger Finger