Regain Movement and Embrace Life with Hip Replacement Surgery

If you are experiencing hip pain that prevents you from enjoying daily activities like walking and climbing stairs, hip replacement surgery might be the solution you need to return to your active lifestyle. Also called hip arthroplasty, this procedure involves removing and replacing diseased or worn-out bone ends with artificial components, creating a new joint surface that can significantly increase your hip function and mobility while reducing pain.

In the Beaufort Memorial Advanced Orthopedics & Spine Program, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons use the latest minimally invasive techniques to help you address hip pain and recover faster than with traditional hip replacement methods. Our goal is to help you rediscover your confidence and get back to life with ease.

Request an appointment with an orthopedic hip specialist or attend our Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminar.

Understanding Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgery is a common procedure that can help you regain your quality of life. During the surgery, the upper part of your thigh bone is replaced with an artificial ball, and the hip socket is lined with metal and plastic to create a new, smooth joint. This hip implant is designed to function like your natural hip, allowing for fluid movement and reducing discomfort.

Many patients report that hip replacement surgery has allowed them to return to the lifestyle and daily activities previously enjoyed, experiencing less pain, fewer restrictions and greater mobility.

Types of Hip Replacement Approaches

During hip replacement surgery, the damaged portions of two bones are removed and replaced with new surfaces. The upper part of the femur (the long thigh bone) is replaced with an artificial ball. The hip socket in the pelvis is lined with metal and plastic. The new ball glides normally in the artificially lined socket.

At Beaufort Memorial, our orthopedic surgeons specialize in a range of advanced surgical approaches for hip replacement, including minimally invasive options that can lead to a quicker recovery and less pain. The approach chosen will depend on your specific needs and can be discussed with your orthopedic surgeon. Our facility also incorporates Mako robotic arm-assistance to precisely plan and place your hip implant.

Our experienced orthopedic surgeons offer various approaches to hip replacement, ensuring you receive personalized, expert care.

Here are the primary approaches available:

Anterior Approach

This approach, performed from the front of your hip, enables surgeons to replace the joint without damaging nearby muscles or tendons. This specialized minimally invasive surgery, available at Beaufort Memorial since 2013, typically leads to a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, less pain, less scarring and a reduced risk of hip dislocation. Most patients also experience significantly greater mobility and range of motion immediately after surgery.

Posterior Approach

Considered the most common technique for hip replacement surgery, it involves a single incision on the backside of your hip, bypassing the primary leg muscles. This method effectively spares soft tissues and replaces the hip joint without harming key walking muscles. It boasts a high success rate with a low risk of complications, providing less pain and scarring and excellent visibility for the surgeon during joint replacement.

Have more questions? Download our guide to hip replacement.

What to Expect on Your Hip Replacement Journey and Recovery

At Beaufort Memorial, we are committed to making your surgical procedure and recovery as smooth as possible. Our comprehensive Advanced Orthopedics & Spine Program includes a dedicated joint care coordinator who will guide you throughout your procedure.

• Before surgery — You will attend an educational seminar to learn what to expect before, during and after your procedure. You’ll also learn exercises to strengthen the muscles around your hip, which will ease your recovery.
• Hospital stay — Your hospital stay can range between one and four days, depending on the type of hip replacement procedure you have and each person’s individual health needs and situation. Some procedures are completed on an outpatient basis.
• Immediately after surgery — Your recovery will begin the very day of your surgery with light physical activity, including walking 75 feet prior to discharge.
• Physical therapy — You’ll begin one-on-one physical therapy in the hospital to strengthen your new hip. You will be discharged once your therapy goals are met.
• At home recovery — You will continue your recovery at home with home therapy visits and/or outpatient rehabilitation for an average of six weeks. This ongoing therapy will help you achieve your previous activity levels and beyond.
• Support system — Our program is designed to put you at ease, providing a dedicated circle of support, including your surgeon, program coordinator, specially trained nurses, physical therapists and even your own hand-picked “first mate” for extra support.

Count on Gold Standard Care

Whether direct superior, anterior or posterior hip replacement is the best fit for you, you can rest assured you are in expert hands at Beaufort Memorial.

Since 2015, Beaufort Memorial has been recognized with the Gold Seal of Approval® by The Joint Commission for top-of-the-line care in joint replacement surgery. Our team has also earned an advanced disease-specific certification for hip replacement from The Joint Commission, an achievement earned by only four other hospitals in South Carolina.

Beaufort Memorial has also held a Blue Distinction Center+ designation for knee and hip replacement by Blue Cross Blue Shield since 2019, further spotlighting the program as a center for excellence with these procedures.

These awards and others demonstrate that we meet the highest national standards of care in hip replacement.

Find Relief from Hip Pain Today

You can become more agile and pain-free through hip replacement surgery. Our expert healthcare providers are here to support you every step of the way, helping you regain your mobility and return to the activities you love.

Request an appointment with an orthopedic hip specialist or attend our Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminar to learn more about treatment options for hip pain. You can also call 843-522-5485 to discuss your symptoms and request an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.